Can an employer simply demote you and your salary without prior notice or expression of dissatisfaction?

Questioner

Good evening, A few days ago I had an end-of-year meeting at work. In that meeting I was completely trashed. I was told that I had to leave the department, hand over my car, report to our operational director for another position within our company and that I currently earn too much for that other position, internally, so I have to give up wages. I have not had 1 conversation with my manager in the past year that things were not going well. Not 1 signal! So this hit me pretty hard! The whole story is too much to type now. I would like to explain this story sometime if this is necessary. But I have been working for this company for almost 25 years and I have therefore built up a reasonable salary. Now my question is: If your employer is not satisfied with your performance, he is allowed to demote you or downgrade you. But if this happens, they are not allowed to touch your salary, right????? I had a conversation with our operational director and he said: it must be your choice to take this step, so you have to give up wages! This afternoon he called me that he actually wants an answer tomorrow whether I am going to take that step or not. Can any of you tell me what my rights are in this? I am starting to get a gut feeling that they want to get rid of me. I would like to hear from you. The sooner the better. MVG

Lawyer

Good evening, the employer may not simply change your function unilaterally. Nor your salary. If the employer believes that you are underperforming, he must make this clear. If there is a case of underperforming, you must be given a fair chance to improve your performance. Without an improvement process and proof of your performance, your salary and your work may not change. Based on your question, I advise you not to agree to the proposal/request of your employer. If you need help or more advice, you can send an e-mail to s.arikan@spuistraat10.nl.