Made-up Rule

Question: Can a new rule (law) be made up on a whim when supervisors want to remove a person from their current position?
My last employer stated that all secretaries had to support at least 2 doctors. Because my department released one of its 2 doctors, I worked for a full year after his dismissal. My supervisor then informed me of this rule after a year. I was then made to work in 2 departments supporting a total of 3 doctors, and to my knowledge, no rule of this sort even existed. It is my belief that they had another person in waiting for my position (I know they had another person). There is much more to this, but if you can answer this question, I would appreciate it.

Thanks

1 answer  |  asked Mar 8, 2010 07:38 AM [EST]  |  applies to Ohio

Answers (1)

Bruce Elfvin
Unless you have a written contract or are part of a collective bargaining unit (union), the employer can treat you as an at-will employee. The employer is free to change the rules, but has some obligation not to change the rules in an unlawful or discriminatory manner. If assignements only change for African-American employees and not the white employees, it may be race discrimination, even though it does not violate employment at-will.

If you need advice, see an employment attorney near you. You can select one at www.oelasmart.net/directory

posted by Bruce Elfvin  |  Mar 9, 2010 1:05 PM [EST]

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