What are my rights against a wrongful demotion?
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What are my rights against a wrongful demotion?
I have worked as a supervisor for company over 4 1/2 years and have never had any corrective action taken against me. Recently, I had to coach an employee regarding a behavior that was in violation of policy. The employee filed complaint and an investigation was started but was not completed to find if the behavior did in fact take place. This was retaliation on the part of the individual and I was demoted for addressing behavior which was a direct order from my upper management. The demotion caused me a pay decrease and change in benefits. I know as supervisor it is very wrong of me to retaliate against my employee, however do I not have any protection for retaliation from them.
Asked on September 6, 2016 under Employment Labor Law, Arizona
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 7 years ago | Contributor
Did this action violate the terms of an employment contract or union/collective bargaining agreement? Did your treatment constitute any form of legally actionable discrimination? If not, then your demotion was legal. The fact is that in an "at will" employment relationship, a company can set the conditions of employment much as it sees fit. Therefore, unfortunately, your only options here are to accept your demotion, complain and risk termination, or quit.
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