Legal Question in Employment Law in Alabama

Wage Decrease in Business

What is the legality of decreasing hourly wages based on selling cost when you were hired at a set hourly wage and no mention of wage decrease was made when your hourly wage was set? I work in a retail business and was given an hourly rate based on selling and training. Now my company wants us to sign a paper saying that our wages will be decreased every 60 days based on our selling cost. Due to my training, my hourly wage is high; therefore my selling cost is high. When I was hired, the store manager acknowledged that this would happen and would not be a problem. That manager has gone to another company. I do not plan to sign the paper, but want to know where I stand legally. Thank you.


Asked on 5/16/03, 5:23 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Sterling DeRamus Sterling L. DeRamus, Attorney at Law

Re: Wage Decrease in Business

Unfortunately under Alabama law you have very little rights with respect to your employment. You may have a simple breach of contract claim, but unfortunately the damages are so small as to not make them worth pursuing. At least not with a lawyer as attorney fees are not awarded in a breach of contract case. However, if the wages decrease below minimum wage than you do have a federal law violation and that federal law does indeed provide for attorney fees. Minimum wage is $5.15/hour. If they are paying you less than that, I would be interested in talking to you further.

Sincerely,

Sterling L. DeRamus

Attorney at Law

2015 First Avenue North

Birmingham, Alabama 35203

205-458-1100

[email protected]

Read more
Answered on 5/19/03, 11:51 am


Related Questions & Answers

More Labor and Employment Law questions and answers in Alabama