Can an employer legally change your job responsibilities, reduce your salary, &/or assign you to a diff. dept.

Question

Can your employer legally change your job responsibilities, reduce your salary, and/or assign you to a different department? Why or why not?

Answer 1

In most cases, yes. Your employer has a right to ask you to do anything they want, unless you are under a contract (collective bargaining, or other employment contract) that says otherwise. You, of course, have a right to refuse to do the work that they request you to do, but if you don't do so by quitting, you can be fired. Laws vary by jurisdiction, consult a lawyer in your area for details.

Answer 2

Because I am an attorney, I have to say: I am not your attorney. I do not represent you. If you feel you have a valid claim, you should immediately consult an attorney in person. I am not advising you one way or another to do anything.

In most circumstances in the United States, the answer is yes, they can. Generally, state law controls the employment relationship, except for specific areas where federal law is important (like discrimination). Most states in the US have the doctrine of "employment at will" -- which means that either party can end the employment relationship at any time with or without reason. In this context, your remedy for your employer changing the conditions of your employment is to quit.

However, there are exceptions. Generally, if you are a government employee, different rules may apply (civil service rules, etc.). If you are part of a unionized workplace, the collective bargaining agreement will usually have provisions related to issues like the ones you note. If you have a written contract of employment for a specified term, you are not under the at-will doctrine and your rights are set out in the agreement. Even under the at-will doctrine, the employer may not take action for certain reasons, such as ones that would discriminate on the basis of race, gender, disability, or age. In some states, employers are prohibited from taking employment action in retaliation for "whistle-blowing."

Those are some of the major exceptions. There may be others applicable to your situation, which is why you may want to consult an attorney.

Answer 3

Yes, unless you are in a union, are under a specific employment contract, OR unless they're changing your responsibilities due to the fact that you're in a protected class (i.e. they're discriminating against you because of your race, religion, sex, etc.) or because you've reported discrimination or (in most states) you've reported a serious violation of law (whistleblower protections).
Most employees are 'at-will,' which means that you or the employer may terminate the employment relationship for any reason or no reason at all (except for the prohibited discrimination discussed above). Along with that, an employer can change your responsibilities as terms of your continued, at-will employment.

If you have particular questions about your particular situation, contact an attorney.

Answer 4

Yes, an employer can! However, there is a lot of background info that is necessary to answer this question.
Where are you located?
Are you under contract?
Are you in a union environment?
Is the reduction or change in salary/responsibilities due to documented corrected counseling?
Has the company changed hands recently (merger, acquisition)?
Length and terms of employment? (at will, probationary, Temporary, seasonal)

I would read through your employee handbook, or SOP for the company for these policies, as well as educate your self on the labor laws of your area. Good Luck.

Answer 5

If you are not under contract, then yes, they can. Most states are "at will employment" states meaning that you or they can end the employment at any time for any reason (within the limits of the law, such as not because you are pregnant or not becuase you are black, etc). They are not under any obligation to give you any kind of job or salary above minimum wage.

Answer 6

Yes, in the US, unless you have an employment or union contract, the company can at any time change your pay, up or down, and change your job, your hours and department

Answer 7

Yes, in most states. Most workers are "at will" and can both leave and be dismissed without cause. If your employer changes the terms of your work, you have the right to walk out the door, or accept the changes.

Answer 8

Yes, here in Louisiana they can, and you can be terminated without reason. You work for them, and they put you where they want. Other states may have other laws that may protect you. If you're having a hard time at work, you may want to consider changing jobs. Why work at a place that you're going to be miserable? They also may be doing this in hopes that you quit. Best of luck to you.

Answer 9

Yes he can. Why? Because he's your employer. You're not forced to work for him. He agrees to pay you x, for doing job y. You either consider that a fair exchange or you don't, and you leave. Thats all there is to it.;

Answer 10

Yes.

Unless you are in a union, in which case it still can be done, but it is more difficult, or you have your own employment contract.