Legal Question in Employment Law in California

If you are an employee and not renting your space - then you are a true employee and they can lower your houly rate but not retroactively. You have to be given prior notice to the change so that you can choose to stay or not. You need to check with the California DLSE for exact amount of notice but I believe it is equal to the amount of time between paychecks - say every two weeks or bi-monthly.

Good luck

The employer is entitled to set and change hours, duties, titles, compensation, benefits, leaves, vacations, holidays, etc., just not retroactively. Employees have the 'right' to pay and employee benefits per the law and company policy as agreed, provided a 'safe' workplace to minimize risk of injury, and sometimes are provided certain medical/pregnancy leave rights. That's about it. In general, unless an employee is civil service, in a union, or has a written employment contract, they are an 'at will' employee that can be disciplined or fired any time for any reason, with or without �cause� or explanation, other than for illegal discrimination or retaliation under the Discrimination, Civil Rights, or Whistle-blower, or similar statutes. The employee's goal should be to keep the employer happy.