Is it unethical to constantly lie to your employee?
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Is it unethical to constantly lie to your employee?
I am asking on behalf of another person. About 8 months ago, he was told that he would be getting a raise of pay. His district manager explained at this time that he could not go from $13.74 to $15.00 because the percentage was capped and that he would have to change his title in order to grant $15.00. Then 4 months ago, after months of jumping through hoops and doing all that he was asked changing titles and all, they still informed him they could not grant his pay change. The district manager then asked him to agree to a promotional title that would typically pay $19.00 but asked him to settle for $17.00 in order to give him his pay raise. He agreed and followed the process and continued to take extra work on. This was in October. Now they are telling him they cannot give him $17.00 but that they can now only give $15.00 but he has to keep the promotional title as Operations Supervisor and extra responsibilities. Needless to say the gentleman had a sorts of nervous breakdown mentally and emotionally and has been having trouble recuperating from this emotional rollercoaster they have been putting him through. Is any of this even legally ethical? Does he have grounds to sue for unethical practices? Mental and emotional distress? He resides in New York City.
Asked on November 9, 2017 under Employment Labor Law, New York
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 6 years ago | Contributor
It is unethical; unfortunately, it is not illegal, and so there is legal claim or other recourse. All employment is employment at will: employers set the terms and conditions of employment, including compensation, and can change it any time, for any reason, and so legally go back on their promises at will. Only if the promise was embodied in a written contract is it enforceable; otherwise, it counts for nothing and there is liability for an employer lying, reneging on promises, etc.
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