Effective Pay Raise Date: Is it Legal to Wait so Long?

Question

I received a promotion to a new position on 7/23 of this year. This promotion included a raise, which is the standard for all workers in this company who are in this position. I have waited, while 3 checks have gone past (we get paid bi-weekly), and now, almost 6 weeks later, they've told me that I will recieve my raise in the next paycheck (9/24), but no retropay for the six weeks I was working in this higher (semi-management) position. I was under the belief that my raise would be applied to all hours worked after I accepted the new position. To my understanding, the paperwork just sat on someone's desk waiting to be signed. I am also aware that they have given other people in my position retropay in the past. My situation is not unique, other than than the "no retropay" part. Is this legal? Or can I fight it? Should I?

Update:

Perhaps I should add that this "company" is NOT a privately owned company - it is a state college with a specific amount of pay listed for every specific job title.

Update 2:

Another question: Do you think it's ethical?

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

if it was written in documentation that you were to get a pay raise then yes it's illegal

A Hunch · Answer

As long as there is no union contract, it's 100% legal.
It doesn't matter if they treated other employees differently.  And they are under no obligation to give you a raise, ever.

Be grateful for what you got.
If you don't like it, look for a new job.

lcr000 · Answer

they can promise you a raise every week for the Next ten years and they do not have to give it to you, much less retro, it may be unethical but not illegal in any way

Judy · Answer

It's legal - actually they wouldn't have to EVER give you the raise and it would still be legal.  There is no legal requirement for them to give you retro pay.

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Effective Pay Raise Date: Is it Legal to Wait so Long?

4 Answers