North Carolina Worker Says Boss Accidentally Emailed Him About Cutting His Salary Over Second Job
NORTH CAROLINA — A North Carolina man says he discovered his boss’s intention to cut his pay after receiving an email that was accidentally sent to him instead of a business partner. The email reportedly detailed a plan to change his pay structure from salary to hourly because he held a second job outside of work hours.
The Accidental Email That Started It All
The employee, who says he earns about $800 a week after taxes, explained that he took on extra work with a family member to make ends meet. He said his employer uses ADP for payroll and had recently experienced technical issues getting him into the system.
After reaching out to his boss for help, he received a response that wasn’t meant for him. The message, according to the worker, expressed the boss’s frustration that he was “working an extra job” and suggested demoting him to hourly pay because he had “free time” to work elsewhere.
The email also allegedly compared him to another employee, with the boss writing that this colleague “could do more for the company.” Ironically, the worker said that the person mentioned as a potential replacement also holds two jobs.
Employee Questions the Legality
The worker described the situation as both “frustrating and confusing,” saying he wasn’t sure if his employer’s actions were legal. “I’ve never been in a situation like this before,” he wrote. “I don’t work at my second job during my main job’s hours — only in my free time.”
In most states, including North Carolina, employers cannot legally punish or demote an employee simply for having a second job unless a non-compete clause or conflict-of-interest policy exists in their employment agreement. However, as an at-will employment state, North Carolina allows companies to change pay structures or terminate workers at any time — as long as it doesn’t violate discrimination or retaliation laws.
Boss accidentally sent an email to me (meant for his business partner) about taking me off of salary due to me having a 2nd job outside of work.
byu/_ohioman_ inlegaladvice
Legal Experts Weigh In on Side Jobs
Employment law experts say situations like this are becoming more common as more Americans take on side jobs to combat rising living costs. “In at-will states, employers technically can change pay or employment terms,” said Charlotte-based employment attorney Lisa Thorne in a prior case commentary. “But they must follow proper notice procedures and ensure the change isn’t retaliatory or discriminatory.”
Thorne explained that unless the employee signed a contract explicitly prohibiting outside work, the company may not have legal grounds to penalize him. Still, switching an employee from salary to hourly requires compliance with Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) guidelines, including ensuring that pay meets minimum wage and overtime rules.
Broader Debate Over Worker Rights and Side Jobs
The story has sparked conversation online about whether employers should be able to control what workers do outside of company hours. Many commenters pointed out the double standard of the boss criticizing the employee’s second job while another worker with two jobs was praised.
With inflation and cost-of-living increases, side jobs have become a lifeline for many. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 8 million Americans now hold multiple jobs — a figure that continues to rise post-pandemic.
For the North Carolina worker, the situation remains unresolved, but his experience highlights the tension between employers’ expectations and employees’ financial realities.
Have you ever faced issues balancing side work with your full-time job? Share your story or thoughts on workplace rights at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
