Raise given and taken immediately back with no dispicplinary action

[chocobagel]

I work in a RI hospital. I was promised a raise 6 months ago when I took on more duties. At that time I was told that I would get a market adjustment retro to when those duties began. I was told early September that I was getting the market adjustment (the rest of the hospital received theirs in July) effective as of this current pay period without back pay as I had a "performance adjustment meeting a month ago". No verbal warning was issued, no written warning was issued. We did have a meeting with the new nurse/my manager with my old manager to discuss changing some procedures but it was never once mentioned in this meeting that I was being reprimanded. I gave my notice within the pay period and was told that "under the circumstances" they were taking the raise back. Once given and entered into the payroll system can they legally recind the raise? I think it's spite for leaving. Since they were already not planning back pay it would only amount to about 300 dollars which would not hurt a company of this size. Is there anything I can do to get my money?

 

[cbg]

Barring a bona fide contract or CBA that specifically says otherwise, the only time raises are required by law is if minimum wage is raised by the appropriate legislative body and you are working at under the new minimum. Likewise there is no law in any state prohibiting a decrease in salary/removal of a raise as long as you are still working at or over minimum wage (in most, but not all states, you must be given notice of the decrease before you work any hours at the lower rate).

It is in no way illegal (and it is quite common) for any promised raises to be rescinded if the employee has given their notice.