Can I refuse a paycut without quitting? Employer is falsely accusing, and bullying me.

Sirs:
I've been an hourly worker for a small manufacturer for over 11 years. I get along fine with my supervisor, and 99% of the people in the company, but the owner, who is also the chief engineer has lately been abusive to me. He used to target on one of his engineers for abuse, but the man stood up to him. The company recently lost some contracts, and they just laid off that engineer and some other people. Now it seems like the owner / chief engineer has redirected his bullying at me. He has been abusive and foul mouthed, and accused me of things I did not do. He has placed impossible standards for me to meet, and lied to other managerial staff (including my supervisor) about my actions and motivations.

I had the highest respect for this guy, and have tried my hardest to comply with his every wish, but he seems to have gone off the deep end. I suspect on Tuesday he will dress me up and down verbally, demand I accede to his false charges, and that I accept a paycut. I don't believe he wants to fire me, or force me to quit, because I really am in a unique situation. No one else there is trained to do any of the tasks I do, (engineering tech, tool and fixture designer, CAD draftsman, machinist, and equipment repair). I don't think of myself as irreplaceable, but with 3 years engineering college, and 30 years experience, I doubt he could quickly find someone to replace me for the $18 per hour they pay.

If they ask me to take a pay cut, is my only option quitting? If I do that, won't that disqualify me for unemployment insurance in NYS? Can I plant my feet and tell them they can either pay my regular salary or terminate me? Can I refuse to sign any acknowledgement of wrong doing or insubordination?

Thank you for your time.

0 answers  |  asked Oct 7, 2011 04:15 AM [EST]  |  applies to New York

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