Can an employer deduct money from an employee’s check for a lost receipt?

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Can an employer deduct money from an employee’s check for a lost receipt?

My company is threatening to charge me for lost credit card receipts that were
directly related to my job. There were no personal charges. Are they allowed to
do this without my approval?

Asked on September 11, 2017 under Employment Labor Law, California

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 6 years ago | Contributor

No, they cannot do this unless you consent to it, either this time specifically or by previously having signed some agreement giving them the right to deduct from your paycheck for this.
In the absence of your consent, while they cannot legally deduct money from your paycheck (if they do, you could sue them, such as small claims court, for the money), they could do any of the following:
1) Terminate you, since unless you have a written employment contract for a definite period (e.g. a one-year contract) which is still in effect (unexpired) which protects or guarantees your employment, you are an "employee at will" and may be terminated at any time, for any reason whatsoever.
2) Suspend you, reduce your hours, or reduce your pay going forward (as long as you remain at or above minimum wage), again, because without an employment contract, you are an employee at will.
3) Sue you for any money you cost them, if losing the receipt(s) did cost them money in some way.


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

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