body: I work as a W2 employee for a medium size company. The contract specifies my salary for each year of the term, along with many provisions to protect the company such as a 1 year non-compete, IP clauses, and a non-disparagement agreement. The contract also specifies I am to be paid for a number of months if I am terminated without cause.
  
  
  My industry has been hit hard by the Covid-19 crisis, and HR recently sent an email that for 6 weeks everyone will be taking a temporary pay cut. For me it will amount to losing about $2000. On one hand I am thankful to still have a job, on the other handle I am deeply disturbed that the company seems to view honoring my contract as optional. There is no provision for reducing my pay (and I believe most of my coworkers have a similar contract).
  
  
  Can doing nothing, for now, amount to implicitly agreeing to the pay cut? How can I put myself in a legal position to pursue damages if this becomes a bigger issue, while avoiding making a big stink with management and HR in the short run?
  
  
  
title: How to Handle Employer Breaching Employment Contract