Is it illegal for an employer to open an employee’s paycheck?
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Is it illegal for an employer to open an employee’s paycheck?
Asked on November 30, 2011 under Business Law, Massachusetts
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
It is perfectly legal. The employer, after all, pays you--it's the employer who "writes" the check (even if the check comes from a payroll service--e.g. ADP--it is based on the information provided by the employer and drawn on funds provided by the employer). An employee has not privacy expectation against his/her employer for the contents of his/her paycheck; and furthermore, it is legitimate for the employer to open the check to confirm that it is written for the correct amount, has the right deductions, etc.
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