Is it OK to cut an employee’s hours without notifying them?
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Is it OK to cut an employee’s hours without notifying them?
I was hired to work at a physical therapist clinic under the notion that it would be full-time back in February. On my first day I was notified I would receive 30 hours instead. Recently, another staff member was hired. I noticed my hours had decreased but I was not notified of any changes in my hours. I asked my supervisor am I still able to receive 30 hours for the week. He replied, no since he’s hired a new staff member. My only issue was that I was not informed before hand or warned of the changes due to hiring a new staff member. Is there any action I can take due to the fact that I was not notified about my hours being cut and also that I was promised full time hours but have never worked at least 40 hours in a week?
Asked on June 6, 2018 under Employment Labor Law, Texas
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 6 years ago | Contributor
Unless you had an employment contract or union agreement that guaranteed your schedule, your hours could be cut at any time and without notice. The fact is that a company can set the conditions of work much as it sees fit (absent some form of actionable discrimination). This is known as "at will" employment. Accordingly, as long as you were paid for the hours that you did work, you have no claim here.
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 6 years ago | Contributor
Unless you had an employment contract or union agreement that guaranteed your schedule, your hours could be cut at any time and without notice. The fact is that a company can set the conditions of work much as it sees fit (absent some form of actionable discrimination). This is known as "at will" employment. Accordingly, as long as you were paid for the hours that you did work, you have no claim here.
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