It definitely feels unfair if you receive a pay reduction at work. You may not have done anything wrong, and your performance may be exemplary. But if the business is having financial troubles, your boss may determine that your pay needs to be reduced if you are going to keep working there.
While this feels unfair, is it actually a violation of your rights? Do you have a right to continue being paid the amount you were initially told at the interview, when you accepted the job offer?
How a pay reduction must work
In many cases, your boss does have the right to reduce your pay. But it is important to address how this happens and when it applies.
Generally speaking, your boss has to tell you that your pay will be reduced in the future, for hours that you have not yet worked. If you are unhappy with this new arrangement, you do have the option to leave your position. You can never be forced to work for less than you agreed to.
In this sense, a pay reduction is only illegal if it applies retroactively to hours that you already logged. If you worked believing you were still getting a higher rate, and then your boss told you after the fact that they were going to pay you less for that time, then this is a form of wage theft. You must be notified in advance.
Your legal options
Disputes over payment issues and wages are fairly common and can be complex. Employees need to know exactly what legal rights they have and what steps to take at this time.