My boss cut my hours because we're slow?

I am his only employee and he cut my hours to 20 a few weeks ago. I was surprised, to say the least. Anyway - I thought he did it because he didn't ant me there anymore so I asked him if that was the reason. He said it was solely because of money, so I have continued working my regular hours and get paid for only 20. I have been with him for 3 years and he has been good to me. I know business has been slow and that he has kids in college.

However I can't help but be a wee bit paranoid that he will axe me for someone new and cheaper (and make me train her on my way out). I mean people always say bosses cut your hours in an attempt to get rid of you. Is it just moronic to think that he'd actually tell me if he was going to get rid of me? If he does I'll really be screwed - I mean if I only worked the 20 hours a week it'd be easier to find a new job, but I've kept my regular hours helping him dig out of this hole.

Would I have any recourse if he does leave me high and dry?

riahz

um get a councler

Tafler

Look out! I just went through this exact situation. I was working at a Comfort Inn for over two years. The manager at Comfort Inn started cutting my hours down. To supplement I applied at Bestwestern. While at Bestwestern I heard a rumor that the Comfort Inn was going to have a new owner. Guess who the owner would be? The owner of Bestwestern bought out Comfort Inn in the town that I live. While still at Comfort Inn, the Bestwestern boss tells me that she will give me more hours when the deal goes through and promises me four times that she will not fire me. Guess what happens to me and all the staff at Comfort Inn? Everyone gets canned and canned hard. No notice. I was lucky enough to get a job at Holiday Inn right before this happend! I am running out of hotels! Ha! Ha! Anyways, watch your back and do not trust anyone. Everyone is after the same green thing-money.

reydecaserio

I understand that is not fair but for them, is business. If they can get someone else that is asking for less money, they will do it because he will save money. But the economy is real bad right now so they are cutting hours. If i was you, I will start looking for jobs right now just in case.

A W

I don't think you'd have any legal recourse... and I think you are doing him a huge favor by working your regular hours! Ask him when he thinks you can return to a regular schedule. In the meantime, work 20 hrs and look for another position.

You mention that your employer has been good to you... Has he been that good? What kind of benefits has he given you and do you think you can trust him? If so, you can always keep any new job offer you receive as a backup. Otherwise, bail out and take care of yourself first.

mad_1240

No you need to be glad that he did not fire you.

Judy

This gets tricky - he is required to pay you for whatever hours he allows you to work. He can cut your pay in half, though, as long as you are still above minimum wage, so you'd work the same hours but for half the pay. But if it takes you below minimum per hour, he isn't allowed to even ALLOW you to work the extra even if you volunteer to.

But to answer your question, if he replaced you with someone else, no you wouldn't have any legal recourse.

Baby G

You might be able to charge him for the hours you worked overtime. There's always unemployment if he lays you off. But if you are working regular hours, I doubt he would do that to you. Good employees are hard to find.

banjoman

He can do that. If he didn't want you there, he'd lay you off altogether. Things are tight for everyone. I read that business as a whole is off 30%. Sounds to me like he likes your work, but can't afford to pay you for 40 hours a week.

steveth1

You should apply for unemployment benefits.

Sydnee

only work 20 hours a week if thats all your getting paid for so if he needs you to train someone it will take longer to train them and youll have time to get another or second job

thresher

Wait, your saying he's not paying you for 40 hours that you are working?I would tell him to take a hike,get somebody else.

Homer

Find another job.

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