Q: Salaried employee - Can my company pay me less than my agreed upon salary for the calendar year?

A: I can provide some general information about salary payments for employees in California:

1. Agreed-upon salary: Generally, an employer cannot unilaterally reduce a salaried employee's pay below the amount agreed upon in an employment contract or offer letter without the employee's consent.

2. Exempt vs. non-exempt status: The rules may differ depending on whether you're classified as an exempt or non-exempt employee under California labor laws.

3. Advance notice: In most cases, employers must provide advance notice of any changes to compensation.

4. Retroactive reductions: Retroactive pay cuts are generally not allowed.

5. Minimum salary requirements: For exempt employees, there are minimum salary requirements that must be met to maintain exempt status.

6. Labor Code protections: California Labor Code provides various protections for employees regarding wages and compensation.

To determine if your specific situation is legal, consider the following questions:

- Has there been a change in your job duties or hours?

- Did the company provide notice of the pay reduction?

- Is the reduction applied going forward or retroactively?

- Are you still being paid at least the minimum required for your exempt/non-exempt status?

For a definitive answer, you may want to consult with a California employment lawyer or contact the California Labor Commissioner's Office for guidance. They can review the specifics of your situation and provide appropriate advice.