Did Your Employer Make Unlawful Wage Deductions? Our Attorneys Can Help.

At Cohelan Khoury & Singer, we proudly use our legal insight and extensive resources to help clients throughout California who need help taking legal action against employers who make unlawful deductions from paychecks. Our wage law attorneys are here to provide reliable legal counsel and make sure our clients’ best interests are represented.

In California, employers can’t deduct money from an employee’s paycheck except to cover standard expenses like taxes and contributions employees have elected to make to retirement savings and similar programs. If your employer has made unlawful deductions, you are entitled to recover these wrongfully withheld wages dating back up to four years, with interest.

Examples Of Improper Or Illegal Wage Deduction Practices Under California Law

You cannot fight wage theft until you recognize what it is. Please contact one of our attorneys if your employer has made any of the following deductions:

1. Unauthorized deductions for cash shortages: Your employer cannot deduct from your wages to cover cash shortages unless you are the sole person with access to the cash.
2. Deductions for damage to property: If you accidentally damage company property, your employer cannot deduct the cost of the damage from your paycheck.
3. Uniform costs: Employers are not allowed to deduct the cost of uniforms from your wages. They must provide and maintain any required uniforms.
4. Business expenses: Any necessary business expenses, such as tools, equipment, or travel costs, should be covered by your employer and not deducted from your paycheck.
5. Employee mistakes: Your employer cannot deduct wages for mistakes you make on the job, such as errors in paperwork or transactions.
6. Training costs: If your job requires training, your employer cannot deduct the cost of that training from your wages.
7. Illegal deductions for disciplinary actions: Deductions from your paycheck as a form of discipline are not allowed under California law.
8. Work-related losses: Employers cannot deduct wages for losses related to theft, breakage or loss of equipment unless it can be proven that the loss was due to your dishonest or willful act.

A related topic of unlawful deductions is failure to reimburse. If you paid for your uniform, job tools or training out of your own pocket, your employer is obligated to reimburse you for those costs.

Speak To Our Trustworthy And Experienced Attorneys

In California, employers can face severe penalties for making unlawful deductions from an employee’s wages, failing to provide rest or meal breaks, failing to pay final wages upon termination and other workplace violations.

If your employer has been making unlawful deductions from your paychecks or committed any other workplace violation, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Cohelan Khoury & Singer today so we can discuss your situation and devise a customized legal strategy to pursue the justice you deserve. To request your free consultation, call our San Diego office at 888-652-2201 or reach out online. Our firm serves clients statewide.