I work in Washington State for a small employer, less than 50 people, and was informed yesterday I would be getting a promotion and pay raise. I was given a form from the WA State Department of Labor and Industries detailing my salary.
I later discussed this sheet with my coworker. This morning I received a call from HR telling me that “while this isn’t illegal, it has a negative effect on company morale and would thus be grounds for termination.”
This was my “verbal” warning of the matter and received an email saying exactly that. The next would be a write up and third would be termination. I can’t imagine this is legal. Any thoughts on how I should proceed?
Full email below:
“Thank you for receiving and understanding information regarding pay and company moral.
I will reiterate company moral is extremely important and any employee who disregards this will be first verbally warned (which was our phone conversation), second offense will be a write up and last offense will be termination”