Can I get my earned wages back?
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Can I get my earned wages back?
A company that I worked retroactively cut my pay. My pay period was from 01/16 to 01/31 and the check date was on 02/16. On 02/01 the company changed the pay structure, it’s a mechant services company, so from pay period of 02/01 and on the pay was going to change based on production, however they decided to cut my earned wages of $1500 that I worked on pay period of 01/16-01/31. Can they legally get away with that? Can I get my money back?
Asked on June 17, 2016 under Employment Labor Law, Kansas
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 7 years ago | Contributor
No, while an employer may reduce you pay *going foward*, from the moment they announce or provide notice of the pay cut to you, they cannot cut your pay retroactively, for work already done. Cutting your pay for work already done would be a violation of labor laws and/or breach of contract (i.e. violation of the agreement, even if only an oral/unwritten one, pursuant to which you did the work in exchange for certain pay). You could contact your state department of labor about the retroactive pay decrease--they may be able to help you. If the don't, you could sue the employer (e.g. in small claims court, acting as your own attorney or "pro se") for the money.
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