seanponders
Junior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Florida
Hello everyone,
I'm a bit stressed out at the moment and hoping someone can offer me some advice.
Back story:
This started 4 months ago. I'm from Michigan; married with two kids. I've worked as a bartender/manager for the company in question for about 4 years. I've been an exemplary employee, work long hours, do whatever is needed, never miss days. They opened a new store in Florida and asked if I'd be willing to relocate (the opening of a new store is highly stressful and they needed good people). At first I was hesitant and declined the offer, I didnt feel as though it was worth it to uproot my family. Anyhow, the owner countered with what I considered a much better offer and I accepted. Packed up the family and moved to Florida. Basically they agreed to give me $1,000/month for housing(extremely high cost of living here), $2,000/month salary, + tips from bartending. They asked me to sign a "contract", which outlined the offer...although on the contract it says it's not a contract for employment and they list me as an "at will" employ. It also says that if at anytime within the next year I am terminated/demoted then I must reimburse them for the relocation money they gave me ($600) along with the housing money for each month ($4,000). So my family and I packed our things and moved to Florida.
Fast forward 4 months later:
Last few weeks a couple managers have quit and they asked me if I would fill a full time managing position. The salary they offered me was lower then what I make now (if you add in the bartending tips). So because the full time managing position would cause me to work longer hours for less pay...I declined. Today, the GM had a meeting with me and basically informed me that I was being demoted. I would no longer work managing shifts and would solely be a bartender, losing my $2,000/month salary. The excuse given to me, was that because they have to hire another full time manager they are forced to end my managing shifts along with my salary and give it to a full time manager.
Final thoughts:
I feel as though I was lured to a new state with the promise they would honor our agreement. Once things calmed down and the restaurant was running smoothly they decided that it would be a better option to just hire someone new, pay them less, and toss me away. I also feel they are punishing me for declining their Full time managing position. They know that I can no longer afford to live here after the $2,000 pay cut and are probably trying to get me to quit to avoid unemployment costs. After 4 years of being one of their best/loyal employees I feel betrayed. Tonight I even trained my replacement, a new bartender/manager. Now I'm going to be stuck in Florida and unable to pay rent after uprooting my family to move here. As an "at will" employee I feel like I have no legal options and have no idea what to do. I've thought about emailing the owner, who obviously made this decision, and telling him basically what I have written in this post. I'm still in shock.
Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
Hello everyone,
I'm a bit stressed out at the moment and hoping someone can offer me some advice.
Back story:
This started 4 months ago. I'm from Michigan; married with two kids. I've worked as a bartender/manager for the company in question for about 4 years. I've been an exemplary employee, work long hours, do whatever is needed, never miss days. They opened a new store in Florida and asked if I'd be willing to relocate (the opening of a new store is highly stressful and they needed good people). At first I was hesitant and declined the offer, I didnt feel as though it was worth it to uproot my family. Anyhow, the owner countered with what I considered a much better offer and I accepted. Packed up the family and moved to Florida. Basically they agreed to give me $1,000/month for housing(extremely high cost of living here), $2,000/month salary, + tips from bartending. They asked me to sign a "contract", which outlined the offer...although on the contract it says it's not a contract for employment and they list me as an "at will" employ. It also says that if at anytime within the next year I am terminated/demoted then I must reimburse them for the relocation money they gave me ($600) along with the housing money for each month ($4,000). So my family and I packed our things and moved to Florida.
Fast forward 4 months later:
Last few weeks a couple managers have quit and they asked me if I would fill a full time managing position. The salary they offered me was lower then what I make now (if you add in the bartending tips). So because the full time managing position would cause me to work longer hours for less pay...I declined. Today, the GM had a meeting with me and basically informed me that I was being demoted. I would no longer work managing shifts and would solely be a bartender, losing my $2,000/month salary. The excuse given to me, was that because they have to hire another full time manager they are forced to end my managing shifts along with my salary and give it to a full time manager.
Final thoughts:
I feel as though I was lured to a new state with the promise they would honor our agreement. Once things calmed down and the restaurant was running smoothly they decided that it would be a better option to just hire someone new, pay them less, and toss me away. I also feel they are punishing me for declining their Full time managing position. They know that I can no longer afford to live here after the $2,000 pay cut and are probably trying to get me to quit to avoid unemployment costs. After 4 years of being one of their best/loyal employees I feel betrayed. Tonight I even trained my replacement, a new bartender/manager. Now I'm going to be stuck in Florida and unable to pay rent after uprooting my family to move here. As an "at will" employee I feel like I have no legal options and have no idea what to do. I've thought about emailing the owner, who obviously made this decision, and telling him basically what I have written in this post. I'm still in shock.
Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
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