Is it legal to reduce an employees hours for not completing their work?

Question

I have created chore lists at work and informed the employees, if they do not complete a task, they will be written up and after 3 write ups, it will result in their hours being cut the following week. Is this legal?

I have issued some basic cleaning tasks to all employees including myself that need to be completed each day. Theses tasks rotate by week. I have informed them if a task is not completed, they will be written up. After 3 write ups I will take 3 hours off their schedule the following week. Is this legal?

All of the employees are fine with it until one of them did not do their tasks, when I went to give her a write up, she stated it is illegal to reduce their hours. By the way, this is in CA

Answer 1

No, that is very illegal!!!!! You should have a copy of the workers rights posted on the wall, as long as they are at the office, if not a commission job, then that is work time! Your company could get sued very badly!

Answer 2

Many states are "right to work" states. If you reduce their hours or let them go for no reason, there's nothing they can do about it. Every state has different laws, but reducing an employees hours isn't illegal. Just be mindful of state laws and the justifications of doing what you're doing. Most employers do three write ups and the employee is gone. If all or most of your employees can't get the work done in the alotted time, the employee probably isn't the problem.

Answer 3

I'm assuming you didn't have a written contract for your salaried position? In that case, there probably isn't much you can do. My guess is that none of this had anything to do with your son's illness or your taking time off. Businesses are looking for any opportunity to save money these days, and a lot of people are being reclassified so that they can be paid less. The alternative is to lay off the higher-paid employees, then hire lower-paid people to do essentially the same job with a lesser title. It sucks - there's no question about that - but it is all a consequence of the economic downturn. They probably also know that if you could, you would quit, but the likelihood of that is small since you wouldn't be able to find another job in this economy.

Answer 4

If these "chores" are not part of their assigned tasks, then it is definitely illegal. It is outside the scope of their jobs. Even if it were legal, it is not condusive in creating a harmonic workplace. My advise to you is to keep everyone happy, otherwise you may have to do all the work yourself, boss.

Answer 5

Yes if is perfectly legal, provided you have added the clause in offer letter of the person that "Compnay holds the right to discontinue your service with prior notice"
In your case you have already send a memo mentioning your actions. So dont worry, you will win.
All the best :)

Answer 6

Yes it's legal, if your not doing your work --your not going to have a job. Your giving your employess enough warning--I think if you have to write them up for it 3 times they should be let go --- Forget cutting the hours--I would cut them to 0.

Answer 7

I wouldn't want to work for you!! Did your employees now the chore lists before they started?

Answer 8

Yes of course. At will policies are legal; just don't cut hours that have already been worked or you'll be in Wal-Mart territory.

Answer 9

Sounds legal to me. But could depend on the state that you are in. Check you state's web site for empolyment info.

Answer 10

as long as your chores lists aren't unreasonable, and are equitable, i see it as fair. you've given warning along with the result. its not like they haven't been told. hours reduction is a reasonable reprimand for those not towing the line.