Can my employer reduce my pay without informing me?

In short, employers in Virginia cannot reduce their employees’ pay without informing them. The Virginia Wage Payment Act, the Virginia law governing wage and hour issues including pay reductions, states that employers must provide employees with written notice of a decrease in their wages at least one pay period before the reduction is to take effect. The law also states that employers must pay their employees the wages to which they are legally entitled, in the amount and in the manner required by law. Failure to provide required notice is a violation of the Act and employers can be liable for damages. Employees should note, however, that Virginia law also allows employers to make reasonable and necessary deductions from an employee’s wages. Deductible items can include tools, supplies, uniforms, parking fees, and tips. But any deductions made must be agreed to by the employee in advance, in writing. Generally, if an employer in Virginia reduces an employee’s wages without warning, it would be a violation of the law. In this situation, employees should hold their employers accountable for their actions and file a wage claim with the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry. This will allow the agency to investigate the situation and if it is found to be a violation, the employee may be eligible for damages.

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Can my employer reduce my pay without informing me?

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