Can my employer take money out of everyone’s paycheck to pay for a broken printer when no one knows who broke it?

Get Legal Help Today

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

Can my employer take money out of everyone’s paycheck to pay for a broken printer when no one knows who broke it?

My daughter works for a small business. The owner of the company is taking $30 out of everyone’s paycheck because he found the desktop printer is broken. He replaced it and is charging everyone, including himself for the new printer because no one would admit to breaking it. My daughter did not sign any agreement allowing for deductions of this nature to be made, she did not break the printer, she is paid the minimum wage. Is this legal?

Asked on February 19, 2012 under Employment Labor Law, Pennsylvania

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 12 years ago | Contributor

No, an employer may not do this. Even if the employer knew who had broken the printer, it could not take money out of his or her paycheck without the employee's agreement. Employees must be paid for all work done, and the employer may not deduct from their paychecks without their consent (other than as required by law; FICA, for example), even if the employees owe the employer money. If the employer believes it knows who is or maybe responsible, if that person or persons will not voluntarily reimburse the company, the employer's recourse is to sue, in order to prove in court that it is entitled to the money and seek a judgment in its favor.


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