Let me explain:
I'm a Canadian from Ontario working in a manufacturing plant. Back in september I left my job to relocate to a new city but it ended up not being able to find a house in time.
3 months later I was not enjoying the drive to the next town over so I emailed my old group leader asking if I could return to my old job for the same rate of pay I was at before leaving (I worked there for 3 years and was making $23.07 per hour)
My group leader didn't even email me back.. Instead he had my friend who worked on the same line text me saying “HR will be in contact with me within the week”.
I went through the normal interview and 2 days later I got a call from HR. It was a woman we will call Sarah who told me “We have decided to rehire you for the starting rate of $19.20 per hour” I responded with “is there anybody I can speak to about the rate of pay? Ive only been gone for 3 months and dont require any training” to which she said “Your manager will discuss your rate of pay with you. I am only calling to hire you at $19.20 an hour”
I agreed because I thought once the manager saw me and realised it was me who has learnt 24 stations over 3 years of employment he would give me my rate of pay back.
Instead he told “we have a strict policy where if you quit for longer then 30 days its like you never worked here before”. If I was told about this policy on the phone when I asked I wouldn't have returned.
I fought them on this for another 3 months before giving up and trying to just move on and keep working. Its hard when every pay is $200-$400 less then before though.
Then about a month ago they told me I was certified to torque important parts (seat belts) without redoing my certification. They said “since you had your delta certification before we are going to let you keep it” I wish I was quick enough to say “what about my pay then” but I didnt.
I was just wondering if this was legal the way they rehired me. If I can report them or not? I tried to move on but every pay feels like getting a giant middle finger.
Ontario, Canada btw