Can my employer cut my hours or change my schedule?

In most cases, yes — an employer can legally cut your hours or change your schedule, but there are important limits depending on your employment status, contract, and state law. **The general rule under federal law ^[1] The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) does not guarantee any particular number of work hours per week. For at-will employees (the default in most states), employers generally may: - Reduce your scheduled hours going forward - Change your shift times or days - Move you from full-time to part-time status The FLSA only requires that you be paid for all hours actually worked** at your agreed wage rate, and that overtime (over 40 hours/week) is paid at 1.5x your regular rate. ^[1] Key limitations and exceptions **1. Minimum wage protection ^[1] Cutting hours is legal, but the resulting pay for hours worked cannot fall below the federal minimum wage ($7.25/hr) or your state minimum, whichever is higher. 2. Employment contracts and collective bargaining agreements If you have a written employment contract or are covered by a union contract that guarantees a minimum number of hours, your employer cannot cut below that contractual floor without your agreement or risking a breach-of-contract claim. 3. Retaliatory cuts are illegal ^[2] An employer may not cut your hours in retaliation for: - Filing a workers' compensation claim - Reporting a workplace safety violation (OSHA) - Exercising your rights under the FLSA or FMLA - Engaging in protected union activity 4. Discriminatory schedule changes ^[2] Schedule changes that disproportionately target employees because of race, sex, religion, age (40+), national origin, or disability may violate Title VII, the ADEA, or the ADA. 5. "Reporting time" / "predictive scheduling" state laws Some states and cities have enacted predictive scheduling or reporting time pay laws: - California — Reporting time pay required if you show up but are sent home early - New York City, Seattle, Chicago — Predictive scheduling ordinances require advance notice of schedule changes and may require "predictability pay" for last-minute changes What to do** If you believe your hours were cut illegally, document the change in writing and consult an employment attorney or file a complaint with the EEOC (discrimination) or the DOL Wage and Hour Division (FLSA violations). *Always check your state's specific labor laws, as they often provide greater protections than federal law.*