Can time spent in a required training class be deducted from your paycheck?
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Can time spent in a required training class be deducted from your paycheck?
I am a bartender. All staff members have been told they need to take a food safety class, which is not an issue. The issue is that they told us the class will be deducted from our paychecks. Is this legal?
Asked on June 23, 2015 under Employment Labor Law, Florida
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 9 years ago | Contributor
No, it is not legal: hourly employees must be paid for *all* hours worked, and hours "worked" includes time spent in employer mandated or employer required classes and training. If you were voluntarily trying to upgrade your skills, get some new certification, etc. that would be different: the employer would not have to pay for that. But if the employer requires you to go to the class, that is the same as work in the eyes of the law.
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