Urgent: Can my employer demote me for no cause? Oklahoma Oregon

[mrscarolynmackay]

I was recently advised by my employer that they are "demoting" a large group that includes myself and as a result of this we are going to lose the additional pay we recieved when we were promoted. When I questioned this, I was told the decision was based on business needs. They are saying it was never a promotion just a " differential" for taking on additional duties, yet I had to apply, interview, and compete for the job. I was given a new title, a pay raise, and my annual date was adjusted to reflect the new position. Can they take this away due to "business needs" or am I entitled to keep the pay raise? This is in OREGON

[cbg]

As long as you are given advance notice of the decrease/demotion, it is legal.

[mrscarolynmackay]

Thank you

DO I have any recourse if I feel the decisions was applied unfairly, for example, I have been in the position for 7 months and was selected for demotion, but another employee who was promoted only 8 weeks ago is being left in the position.

[cbg]

They are not required to use seniority as a determining factor. The only way you would have any legal recourse would be if there were a valid and supportable reason to believe that you were selected for demotion/pay cut BECAUSE OF your race, religion, national origin or other characteristic protected under the law.