Can employer deduct from my pay for a faulty credit card machine?
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Can employer deduct from my pay for a faulty credit card machine?
As waiter I was recently asked to pay out-of-pocket (ie that nights tips) because the credit card reader did not record the transaction, even though it printed a receipt and was signed by the customer. I have also been asked to pay for a ringing up the wrong total on a receipt.
Asked on July 24, 2011 Indiana
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
First of all, tips are considered to be a form of employee wages and compensation (just ask the IRS). And the general rule is that in a case such as this, wage deductions are not legal. An employer cannot unilaterally take the money out of an employee's pay to offset losses or damage costs. That is unless there is existing company policy to the contrary or a union/employment contract that allows for this; you such a deduction involves some form of workplace discrimination (none of which you indicated).
Note: An employee in an "at will" work arrangement can be fired for no reason or any reason whatsoever. So you may just want to work something our with your employer.
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