Legal Question in Employment Law in California

In the absence of a union collective bargaining agreement, or a long-term written employment contract (think professional athletes) or or the equivalent, employees in California are employed "at will."

The functions and jobs of "at will" employees can be changed and terminated by the employer "at will" -- and at any time and for any reason or for no reason at all -- so long as the employer is not acting in an unlawfully discriminatory manner (such as basing the change in functions or termination on issues of gender, race, religion, national origin, age, veterans status, etc.). Similarly, absent an agreement to the contrary, every employee in California is free to change jobs or quit -- and is not indentured or obligated to work for the employee.

While there are sometimes exceptions to the employer's right to act unilaterally, and while most employers recognize that acting arbitrarily usually has negative consequences in terms of morale, loyalty and long-term productivity, your friend has very little choice but to be responsive to her new circumstances, change with the times or seek a new job elsewhere.