Legal Question in Employment Law in Pennsylvania

I've recently been employed by a new Dollar General Store, Minersville, PA.

I was assured that it was not a temporary position and was given the idea that (part time) I would have approx. 22 hours per week. After just 3 weeks, the manager has posted our new hours and everyone's hours have been cut and told they would be cut even more in the near future. I left my former employer due to travel time(store is three blocks from my home)

and to get back into retail. If Dollar General keeps cutting my hours I will not be able to make ends meet, which I'm barely doing now. Do I have any legal recourse? Thank you.

Laura Esler


Asked on 12/19/11, 9:05 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Robert Graff

Before I respond to your inquiry, I must state that we have not spoken, I have not reviewed the relevant documents and facts, and I do not represent you. Therefore, my discussion below is not a legal opinion, but is informational only. Finally, my discussion applies only to issues to which Pennsylvania or Federal law apply, unless otherwise specified.

That being said, unless you signed a contract for a specified term, you will be considered an at-will employee according to Pennsylvania law. This means that either you or your employer can terminate the employment at any time for any reason. Along that same rationale, unless you have a contract stating otherwise, your employer can reduce your working hours as he/she seems fit. There are situations where the rule of at-will employment does not apply and there is some recourse if you do lose your employment, but without speaking to you and reviewing all your employment documents, it would be difficult to advise you differently.

If you would like to discuss this matter further, please feel free to contact me at the below address(es) or number.

Robert H. Graff

The Ezold Law Firm, P.C.

One Belmont Avenue,

Suite 501

Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004

(610) 660-5585

[email protected]

www.ezoldlaw.com

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Answered on 12/20/11, 6:28 am


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