Can my boss take money out of my paycheck for something I accidentally broke?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Can my boss take money out of my paycheck for something I accidentally broke?
I work for a cleaning company that advertises that they are insured for broken items. She claims she cannot afford to pay for this item because her husband lost his job so she took the charge out of my pay check. I didn’t think either of us had to pay out of our own pockets. Is this legal?
Asked on December 7, 2010 under Employment Labor Law, Colorado
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
1) If her company has agreed (e.g. in its contract with clients) to pay for damages--or has advertised in their marketing materials that they'll pay--the company has to pay. They have to honor their obligations. If there's no insurance to pick up it, the company will pay for it itself--and if the company is basically your boss (e.g. it's a sole proprietorship and she's the proprietor) that means she'll have to pick it up out of her own pocket.
2) She may not take the money out of your paycheck or make you pay for the loss.
3) However, if you don't have an employment contract, you may be fired at any time, for any reason (you're an employee at will), so you need to bear that in mind as you decide what to do.
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.