Can employer lower hours based on my husbands income.?

My manager pulled me aside last week and started asking a bunch of questions about my husband, where he worked, how much he made, if he was going to college. Then he lowered my hours by 6 hours a week. He did not lower any other employee's hours but mine. Another employee, who's well established there, went to the head of the institute because she felt it was discrimination and unfair. Now the head of the institute is saying that he was there while my manager was talking to me and that no such conversation happened. I'm not sure what to do now? I do not want to lose my job, we can not afford it. At the same time I have lost any motivation to put my best foot forward.

Chris S

It is discrimination and that is why the head of the institute is covering the other guy's behind. I would document the conversation. Date, time and the dialogue. See if you can speak with an attorney, they will normally do an initial consultation for free. At this point it is a he said, she said. But by memorializing the conversation, you will have a history if something else occurs---but talk to an attorney.

In the future, when you are approached, keep in mind that you are not obligated to share personal information that does not affect job performance. Just simply reply 'Thank you for being interested in my family, however, my husband and I have a pact not discuss our personal lives in the workplace. I know you would not want me to waste company time with that kind of thing".

In a twisted way, your manager was probably trying to do the right thing by saving those that could not afford the cut in hours. However, it is not good management. These decisions should be based on the work that needs to be done and the person's job performance, not what occurs outside of work.

Frank112

He can do whatever he wants. If I were you, i'd be glad I wasnt fired in this economy. You losing your motivation is a consequence that you're manager is going to have to deal with because its something that would be normal to expect.

Ash

Unfortunately there is probably not much you can do at this point. If no one else witnessed the conversation and two people are covering for it then it's going to be he said vs she said. An employer should not be able to use that information to determine who to cut hours from, but chances are there is nothing preventing your employer from deciding to cut anyones hours on any given week. Since there is nothing stopping him from randomly selecting you to loose hours, and you have no proof it was based on your husbands income, legally your kinda out of luck. It can't hurt to document it somehow, and I would be careful what you say around this guy from now on. It sounds like he is trying to have everyones best interest in mind in a tough time, maybe try mentioning your car is broken and needs repairs, your kid needs braces and such around him, he sounds like the type that might feel bad and increase your hours again.

KAS

You boss is an butt hole. He had no right to ask you about your hubby's income.

Lesson learned: Don't reveal info personal info to employers. Just work and mind your own business.

Employers can do and ask anything they want because they know the economy is poor and people will stay with the job. If not, the employer can find another person to fill the pathetic position!

Ron Thome

That is discriminating. You need to got to your HR department. If they are on your managers side, you need a lawyer.

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