Can my employer make me pay back money that a customer did not pay due to my mistake?
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Can my employer make me pay back money that a customer did not pay due to my mistake?
I gave a customer the wrong bill and they paid the $30 listed. When I took the other bill which was $50 to the other customer, they said that theirs wasn’t that much. The manager on duty credited back the other customers credit card for $30 and charged the right customer the $30. Then they said that I had to pay the $50. Is this legal?
Asked on March 29, 2012 under Employment Labor Law, Michigan
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
You employer can ask and expect you to repay money you cost it due to your mistake--the law does not make an employer absorb the cost of employee errors. It cannot deduct the money from your paycheck without your permission or consent--however, unless you have an employment contract protecting or guarantying your employment, your employer could terminate you if it feels you are costing you money without making good the loss.
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