Can an employer cancel scheduled shifts without notice or cause?

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Can an employer cancel scheduled shifts without notice or cause?

My employer is having marital issues. She comes into work crying and upset, has confided in some workers that her husband is increasingly abusive and has threatened to divorce her and close down

their business. He comes into the workplace during business hours and harasses her and the staff, causing fear, intimidation and even making staff cry. He has threatened the manager with a gun, and I am scared that he might do something violent at work. Other staff have told me they are afraid of him and worried about our boss. Other staff have approached me with their experiences and we all want to help the boss but don’t know what to do. She told me today that she has cancelled my shifts this week, because she

Asked on April 26, 2018 under Employment Labor Law, California

Answers:

M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 5 years ago | Contributor

Yes, an employer can cancel scheduled shifts without notice unless there exists a union/employment contract to the contrary. The fact is that most work relationships are "at will". This means that a company can set the conditions of the workplace much as it sees fit (absent some form of actionable dsicrimination). That being the case, unfortunately your only recourse here is to complain but risk termination, or quit.


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