Can My Employer deduct from my paycheck for their mistake?

Get Legal Help Today

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

Can My Employer deduct from my paycheck for their mistake?

Long story short, my job made an
error in payroll and on my
timesheet has me working from 5am-
11pm when I worked 5pm-11pm. So I
did not work 18 hours but instead
6. I have the extra 12 hours on my
check and when talking to my boss,
she said the 12 hours would likely
be deducted from my hours on the
next paycheck. Can they do that to
correct the mistake they made?

Asked on September 19, 2018 under Employment Labor Law, Iowa

Answers:

M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 5 years ago | Contributor

Typically paycheck deductions can only be made with the written consent of the employee. However, there are certain exceptions. So, for example, an employer can deduct for taxes, child/spousal support and garnishments. I can also decuct for any accounting/bookkeeping errors. Accordngly, a mistake such as you describe can result in a legal paycheck deduction.

M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 5 years ago | Contributor

Typically paycheck deductions can only be made with the written consent of the employee. However, there are certain exceptions. So, for example, an employer can deduct for taxes, child/spousal support and garnishments. I can also decuct for any accounting/bookkeeping errors. Accordngly, a mistake such as you describe can result in a legal paycheck deduction.


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.

Get Legal Help Today

Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption