If you work for a store that sells gas and someone pumps some without paying for it and takes off, can your employer deduct the amount from your paycheck?

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If you work for a store that sells gas and someone pumps some without paying for it and takes off, can your employer deduct the amount from your paycheck?

Asked on June 23, 2012 under Employment Labor Law, North Carolina

Answers:

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

Answered 11 years ago | Contributor

An employer has a right to compensation under the circumstances. In fact, it can deduct such "shortages" from an employee's paycheck if exisiting company policy provides for this, or the terms of a union agreement or employment contract allow it, or an employee agrees to it. Otherwise, most states generally do not let an employer make such deductions automatically (they would have to pay the employee and then charge them for the shortage separately). That having been said, other states allow for such deductions as long as minimum wage laws are not violated or if there has been no wrongdoing on the employee's part. Specific state law controls. At this point, you need to contact your state's department of labor to find out how your jurisdiction handles such cases.


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