Hi r/antiwork,
I’m seeking advice about a concerning situation involving my girlfriend’s employment. We live in a seasonal area in California, where she works as an office admin for a landscaping company/nursery.
During her job interview in March 2023, it was discussed that she would be on a salary during the winter shutdown (Dec 1st – Mar 1st), which was a significant factor in her accepting the job. In August, due to concerns about the winter period and her boss being somewhat flaky, she had other job offers that she was considering, as they seemed more secure for the winter months. However, after a discussion with her boss, who assured her that she would be on a salary based on a 40-hour work week and would have nothing to worry about during the winter, she decided to stay.
Despite this assurance, as of December 1st, her boss has unexpectedly changed the terms, stating they agreed on $45/hour for only 20 hours/week during winter. This is a drastic reduction from the initially agreed terms and has put her in a tough financial situation. She’s now in a position where she might need to look for other work.
She has already responded to her boss, reiterating what was initially agreed upon, and we are currently awaiting his response.
Was anyone in a similar situation? What steps can we take? Should we seek legal advice, or are there negotiation strategies we could use?
Any insights or experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!