Can my employer raise my pay then reduce it without my knowledge?

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Can my employer raise my pay then reduce it without my knowledge?

I have a copy of my pay history and I went from $10.76 to $13.00 then without my knowledge was took down to $11.13 per hour. Is this legal and, if not, do they have to make up my back pay?

Asked on January 30, 2018 under Employment Labor Law, Kentucky

Answers:

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

Answered 6 years ago | Contributor

Unless you have an employment contract or union agreement that gurantees you a set wage, then you are an "at will" worker and therefore your employer can change your rate as it deems appropriate. Basically, it can change any condition of your employment that is sees fit (absent some form of legally actionable discrimination). That having been said, a rate of pay can only be changed for hours going forward or not yet worked. As for any work that you have already performed, your wage must be for the rate that you were originally paid. A pay decrease cannot be retroactive. If you cannot come to some sort of agreement with your boss as to any pay owed you, then you can file a wage complaint with your state's department of labor.


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