Is this illegal or legal if my employer says if our drawer is short that we have to pay out of pocket to make up the difference?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Is this illegal or legal if my employer says if our drawer is short that we have to pay out of pocket to make up the difference?
The problem is that there is more than one person on the cash registers. At the time of hiring we didn’t sign a paper saying that we would pay out of pocket and now they have a paper they want us to sign. It states that if we’re short then we will pay the difference. Are they allowed to do this?
Asked on April 20, 2012 under Employment Labor Law, Illinois
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Yes, it is legal; an employer may make it a term or condition of employment that employees will make up any shortfalls in their cash drawers, and if you agreed to such--which includes implicitly agreeing by taking or keeping the job, with knowledge of the requirement, as well as explicitly agreeing by signing a document--it is enforceable and legal.
The employer may not, if you do not voluntarily pay any missing funds, take the money out of your paycheck, unless you explicitly and specifically agreed to let them do this. Without an employee's explicit consent, an employer may only withhold from pay those amounts required by law (e.g. FICA: a court-ordered childs-support garnishment). However, the employer could fire you if you refuse to repay the money; and it could also sue you for the money, under the terms of the agreement you signed (though usually, the amount at stake will not be enough to make it worthwhile).
In the case you describe, the employer could not make you repay any amounts prior to when you agree to this requirement, such as by signing the paper--but they could elect to fire anyone who refuses to sign.
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.