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Find Out if You Are Entitled to Compensation for Unlawful Deductions from a Los Angeles Unpaid Wage Lawyer
Employers often take advantage of their employees. One way many employers take advantage of their employees is by imposing unlawful deductions. California law places strict limits on deductions from employees’ paychecks, and if your employer has made any unlawful deductions, it will be important for you to speak with a Los Angeles unpaid wage lawyer about filing a claim.
What Can Your Employer Deduct from Your Paycheck?
In California, employers can only deduct certain specific amounts from their employees’ paychecks. As the California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) explains, employers are “only” permitted to make deductions:
- “[W]hen required or empowered to do so by state or federal law;”
- “[W]hen a deduction is expressly authorized in writing by the employee to cover insurance premiums, benefit plan contributions or other deductions not amounting to a rebate on the employee’s wage;” or,
- “[W]hen a deduction to cover health, welfare, or pension contributions is expressly authorized by a wage or collective bargaining agreement.”
Common lawful deductions include those for health insurance premiums, retirement contributions and the employee’s share of FICA taxes. Additionally, if your wages are subject to garnishment, your employer can lawfully deduct the garnished amounts since it is “empowered to do so” by state law.
What Can’t Your Employer Deduct from Your Paycheck?
Otherwise, employers in California are generally prohibited from deducting amounts from their employees’ pay. For example, while the following may be legal in limited circumstances, they frequently fall into the category of unlawful deductions:
- Deductions for costs resulting from employees’ mistakes
- Deductions for business losses
- Deductions for gratuities
- Deductions for lost or damaged property
- Deductions for overhead expenses
- Deductions for register shortages
- Deductions for uniform costs
Of course, while these deductions may be unlawful, this doesn’t stop many employers from taking them. If you have had any amounts deducted from your wages that you believe may be unlawful, you should consult with a Los Angeles unpaid wage lawyer about your legal rights. A lawyer at Attorneys for Employees (AFE) can explain your legal rights in detail, and if you have a claim for unlawful deductions, your lawyer can work to recover just compensation on your behalf.
Filing a Claim for Unlawful Deductions in Los Angeles
If you have a claim for unlawful deductions in Los Angeles, the steps you need to take depend on the circumstances involved. A lawyer at AFE can explain whether you should file a claim with the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement or file a lawsuit in court. In either case, it is important that you take action promptly, and we encourage you to contact us for a confidential consultation as soon as possible.
Discuss Your Rights with a Los Angeles Unpaid Wage Lawyer in Confidence
Are you entitled to compensation from your employer for unlawful deductions? Contact us to find out. Call 310-601-1330 or tell us how we can reach you online to speak with a Los Angeles unpaid wage lawyer today.