Can my raise be taken away for no reason?

Question

I was given a promotion at work ireceived a raise and more responsibility. After signing the acceptance paper i placed it my personal folder and left it on my desk. My coworker went inside the folder after seeing me place it in there and told everyone that i was receiving special treatment and that my raise was to high. now my boss wants to take it from me he thinks that i told everyone but i did not can he take it from me. what can be done to stop this. I told him what she did but he said he cant prove that because there are no cameras please help i need that money.

Answer 1

Increase in pay must not be witheld since it is for a promotion. Other employees cannot force the employer not to implement the pay increase since it is for a valid reason.

Answer 2

Unless your raise is union negotiated, or you have a written contract, your raise is at the discretion of your employer. I doubt an acceptance paper would be legally binding. Even if you got an attorney and fought the company, they will certainly remember that in the future. It just isn't worth it.

I realize it is too late for a lesson learned, but you really shouldn't leave anything personal sitting around.

Answer 3

tell him, "you also can't prove that i told anyone. you should give me the benefit of the doubt rather than punishing me based on unfounded suspicion. i'm not the kind of person that would throw my raise in anyone's face or brag about it around the office. i will be more responsible with sensitive documents in the future."

i'm not sure if he can take the raise back, but they might be able to since they can hire and fire anyone at will. i believe an employer can also demote and promote at will. the most you can do is appeal to his logical side.