Can my employer decuct pay for a time card being late?
Question Details: My boss put up a flyer saying that if your time card isn't in my 3:30 Friday, you will face a pay reduction. Is he allowed to do that?
Generally speaking, an employer is free to devise and enforce whatever rules, policies, etc., it wants in the workplace, so long as they don't violate any laws in how they are applied. Thus, it would likely be okay for the employer to have a policy that timecards must be submitted by 3:30 on Fridays. It would likely also be okay if the employer somehow disciplined an employee for failing to submit the card by 3:30 on Fridays. However, an employee must be paid for all time worked. If your employer is reducing your pay, and thereby not paying you for all time worked, as a penalty for not submitting the timecard on time, that is likely unlawful.
While I am honestly not overly familiar with Michigan administrative process, it appears you can submit a wage complaint for unpaid wages through the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. A form can be found online at http://www.michigan.gov/documents/WH43_Employment_Wage_Complaint_Form_R6_29_05_141963_7.pdf.
Hope that helped.
James A. Walcheske
Walcheske & Luzi
