What to do if an employee is being charged for stolen equipment?
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What to do if an employee is being charged for stolen equipment?
About 19 days ago my car was broke into (window smashed) and everything was taken from me. Nothing was left in plane site in the car. I followed the verbal and handwritten rules of my job to the T. I was away from my car for less then one hour and nothing was left unsecure or overnight. I filed a police report and told my employer what happened. My employer now wants me to pay for the stolen equipment by taking over half of my paychecks for the next 4 months when the job closes. Until I sign the agreement the will not allow me work anymore.
Asked on August 7, 2012 under Employment Labor Law, Virginia
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
This is legal if you do not have an employment contract protecting your employment; without a contract you are employee at will. An employee at will may be fired at any time, for any reason--including that you are unwilling to pay the employer for a loss it believes you caused. You have the right to not pay--and your employer has the right to not employ you. You have to decide what makes sense for you.
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