Can my employer fine employees for being late to work?
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Can my employer fine employees for being late to work?
My employer sent a letter in the mail wanting employees to sign and the letter states if the employee is 5 minutes late to work there will be $50 deducted from their pay. If the employee is 15 minutes late that is a $100 fine. Is this legal?
Asked on August 2, 2017 under Employment Labor Law, Texas
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 6 years ago | Contributor
Yes, such a fine is legal unless prohibited by the terms of a union agreement or employment contract. The fact is that most work is "at will" which means that a company can set the conditons of employment much as it sees fit (absent some form of legally actionable discrimination). The only caveat here is that if you are a "non-exemt" worker (typically one who is paid hourly), then you must average at least minimum wage for your shift.
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