Wage Reduction Without Telling Me...

[mehs]

What is the name of your state? Minnesota

I recently quit at a local pizza place I worked at. My wage was originally 6.75, and about 2 weeks ago they reduced it to 6.50 without telling me of the reason. I later asked why, and they claimed because I was not working to the best of my ability. A few days later, I quit because of this. Was reducing my wage without telling me at all legal? I did some research on various laws, and I only found this http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/bin/getpub.php?type=s&year=current&num=181.79
and I am not even sure if that applies to my situation. I asked various other people about it, and most people said that what they did was illegal. Does anyone know if the above law applies, or of any other laws that would apply so I can take action against them?

 

[JETX]

Was reducing my wage without telling me at all legal?

No. This is a simple matter of contract law. You agreed to perform a task (work) in return for compensation (wages). The employer cannot unilaterally change the contract and must have your permission prior to any change.

So, now your decision becomes... what are you going to do with that knowledge??

 

[mehs]

Does it apply for ordinary work? Would ordinary employment be bound by a contract? Because if ordinary employment is not necessarily bound by a contract...would this apply? I just want to be 100% sure before I try anything. Oh and I also plan on filing a complaint with the State...after I clarify some things.

 

[ecmst12]

How many hours did you work at the lower rate before being informed of the change?

 

[mehs]

How many hours did you work at the lower rate before being informed of the change?

Our paycheck is bi-weekly, so that was roughly 40 hours of work for me. The second I found out, I confronted them about it, they said they would change it back. I worked one more day and quit. So then I got 14 hours of my normal non-reduced pay, and actually got paid today, with no reimbursement for what they did.

 

[pattytx]

Most states specifically require that you be informed of a decrease in pay prior to working the hours at the lower rate (even outside of the "contractual" context), although they don't need to give you a reason (in any state) . You can contact the state DOL to confirm, but I do believe that MN is one of them.