Speak Up! - View Question #23116
« LawForKids.org home page | « Go back to speak up question #23116

Question: I work fast food, at closing last night I shut the door against my foot and the glass cracked. My boss said he would start deducting money from my paychecks to pay for replacing the glass. Is this legal and am I responsible for this accident? At $7 an hour it's not worth me working. What if a oven or something major breaks down, what then? He deducts $20 from another employee's paycheck because she has a face piercing that she can't get out. Please advise me on what my legal rights are. Thanks!

Answer:

Under Arizona Law (A.R.S. § 23-352), an employer cannot withhold or divert any portion of an employee's wages EXCEPT for the following reasons:

1) the employer is required to do so by state or federal law

2) the employee has submitted a voluntary written authorization to the employer (e.g., deduction for union dues)

3) the employer has received a written authorization based upon an agreement between the employee and employer (e.g., payment for lost tools or equipment or for purchase made from the employer)

4) there is a reasonable, good faith doubt as to the amount of the wages due

 
Comments
1 thru 4 of 4 comments
On 09/26/07
Momof4 from NY said:

Talk to your parents about this, it sounds like what your employer is doing is illegal. Your parents can help you call up your State's Labor Department and you can file a complaint with them. Even if you leave this job file the complaint anyway so that employer can not take advantage of anymore employees. As far as the broken glass, it should be covered by your employers insurance contract.
On 09/26/07
Nina from Othr said:
you are not under a legal obligation to pay any fee to your employer for damages. the problem with some employers of nowadays, is that they can be very ignorant about certain laws, rules or regulations and even policies. that is why it is extreemly important for employees to be well fed in regard to their rights as to fight for them. stand your ground and see to it that he is proven wrong, even if your job is at risk. he is bound to do it someone else.
On 09/14/07
Jess from Othr said:
Im from london not USA. I agree that what your boss is doing is wrong and pretty stupid. Looking back its actually HIS fault the glass broke as he has purchased unsafe doors with frail glass inside them. Definatley complain about this or even better get a new job!
On 09/02/07
Ashlyn from AZ said:
I believe that what your boss is doing is unfair and an injustice. You didn't mean to crack the glass on the door, it was an accident. From the sounds of it, he is not a good boss. He seems to be taking advantage of his employees. Charging a girl $20 because of a face piercing? If it's against his policies, then she needs to find another job. Talk to Human Resources and HIS manager. What he is doing is not right, don't let him get away with it!
1 thru 4 of 4 comments


Read more about the law and Other
Related Stories
Related Laws
« LawForKids.org home page | « Go back to speak up question #23116