An employee is facing a reduction in working hours and pay imposed unilaterally by their employer.
Premiumintermediate8 minutes
The Situation
What They Said
“My contract specifies my regular working hours, and the applicable employment legislation requires that any changes to these hours must be agreed upon by both of us, not imposed unilaterally.”
The user is asserting their rights against an employer who is attempting to reduce hours to cut costs. This puts the user at a disadvantage because the employer holds the power of the paycheck and may use intimidation to force compliance.
The Fallacy
The 'Employer Prerogative' Fallacy
The employer incorrectly assumes that ownership of a business grants them the right to unilaterally alter the fundamental terms of an employment contract. In general legal principles, an employment contract is a bilateral agreement that cannot be changed by one party alone. Claiming 'it is my business' does not override the protections provided by employment legislation or the common law of contract.
What the Law Says
Your Legal Foundation
Ley de Contrato de Trabajo 20.744
art. 66 de la Ley de Contrato de Trabajo — Unilateral modification prohibition
“The employer is empowered to introduce all those changes relating to the form and modalities of the provision of work, provided that such changes do not alter essential modalities of the contract, nor cause material harm to the worker.”
The employer's attempt to reduce your regular working hours to cut costs likely alters an essential modality of your contract (your agreed hours) and may cause material harm (loss of income). Therefore, under Article 66, such a unilateral change is not permitted without your agreement.
What Scripture Says
God's Word on This
Leviticus 19:13 ()
“Do not defraud or rob your neighbor. Do not hold back the wages of a hired worker overnight.”
This verse emphasizes the biblical principle of fairness and honesty in employment, reminding employers that withholding agreed-upon wages or hours is a form of injustice.
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You Know the Law — But Do You Know What to Say?
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What They'll Say Next
Common Counter-Arguments
After you respond, they may push back with these arguments. Members get the full rebuttal for each.
They might say: “The law allows me to make changes as long as they don't cause you material harm. A reduction in hours is not material harm because you'll have more free time.”
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They might say: “Your contract has a clause that says I can modify your hours at my discretion.”
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Know Your Rights. Know Your Word.
137 Argentine law and Scripture scenarios — exact rebuttals, constitutional law, and Scripture. Practise out loud with audio. Free to start.