Does my employer have to notify me of changes to my contract?

To provide you with a meaningful answer to your questions an attorney will need to review your contract with the company.

Quite possibly, but impossible to say for sure. Hire an attorney to review the contract. You would not opine on what treatment a patient needs off a brief post on WebMD - the same principle applies to the legal field.

“... contract also says any changes can be made at any time...” Surely you had an attorney review this contract before you signed it? That’s who you need to contact. Good luck. ECS

The general rule in California is that you are employed at will unless you have an agreement to the contrary with your employer about that status. A guarantee of a contract term for a specified period of time is enforceable only for that period of time, and after that time expires, you default back to an at will employee. As an at will employee the employer has the right to change the terms and conditions of employment, including pay rates and method of compensation, at any time and for any reason. The only limitation is that the change can only take place once the employee is made aware of the change. After-the-fact changes are not effective prior to the notice provided. That means it is not lawful to pay an employee a different rate of pay and only inform the employee of the change by way of the pay stub for the work already performed. However, from that point on the new rate applies. To get specific advice about your situation it would we wise for you to locate and consult with an employment law attorney who can be allowed to review the contract and the facts and circumstances of your particular situation. Good luck to you.