Can employers raise/lower wages without informed consent?
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Can employers raise/lower wages without informed consent?
Performance reviews and wage
evaluations/raises question.
My performance review was postponed.
That’s my opportunity to negotiate my
salary with my director. Our raises
were given and applied, but we have yet
to see what our raises were or sign
anything saying we agreed to them.
Is this legal? Or just improper?
Asked on August 5, 2016 under Employment Labor Law, West Virginia
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 8 years ago | Contributor
Employers do NOT need employee consent or agreement to changes in pay or, indeed, to any changes in their employment, unless the employee has a written employment contract requiring consent. Otherwise, without a contract, you are an employee at will and that means, among other things, that your employer may change your salary or wages at any time, for any reason (or change it: i.e. not give you a raise), in any amount, without your prior knowledge, input, or consent.
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