Paycheck/termination question - Michigan

[charliee3]

At the end of November I was promoted at my current job. My most recent paycheck was supposed to reflect my pay raise, but did not. I brought this to my boss' attention, but I don't believe anything has been done. I was willing to wait until the next paycheck to see if a correction and retro-pay would be given to me. How long should I wait? Can I refuse to perform my new duties until I receive the pay I was told I would get? If I do refuse, can my employer terminate me?

[Pattymd]

Can I refuse to perform my new duties until I receive the pay I was told I would get?

Well, I guess you COULD. I wouldnt' advise it though, because........

If I do refuse, can my employer terminate me?

yes, they could. Legally.

There is no required time frame under the law by which increases must be processed because there is no law requiring them at all. The employer has already stated, apparently, that the raise will be retroactive. If it's not on your next check, remind them again. If it goes by too long, you're perfectly within your rights to ask them to cut you a manual check.

[ramijav_522]

I believe that unless you have a signed contract stating your new wage and effective date, they technically don't have to pay you for that.

[Pattymd]

Ramijav, the poster stated that the employer recognizes that retroactive pay is due. He wanted to know what the legal issues were. I not only gave him the legal answer, but what he could do since there was no regulation requiring what he asked about.

[charliee3]

I have kept documentation on how much my new pay was supposed to increase. My employer never did give me a time frame, which I suppose in retrospect I shoud have ask for in writing before I accepted the promotion. I was verbally told that it would be retro paid to the date I accepted the promotion, but I have no documentation of this.

If my pay never does increase, am I just screwed or do I have any recourse seeing as how I do have documentation that I was promoted and what my new pay should be?

[Pattymd]

You have no LEGAL recourse, but you can certainly speak with Human Resources about it now.