Can an employee be made responsible to pay back a shortfall?
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Can an employee be made responsible to pay back a shortfall?
My friend works in a retail company and one day she worked and $57 was missing. They made her compensate for that with no evidence of her losing the money.
Asked on January 11, 2012 under Employment Labor Law, California
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
The company may ask her to repay the money, if they believe she took it or is otherwise responsible. If she does not repay it, they could fire her, regardless of whether or not they could prove the theft--there is no need for proof before terminating an employee, unless that employee has a contract providing her some job protections. She could have refused to repay the money and taken the chance she would have been fired, had she chosen to do so.
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