Start by talking to your employer. Explain why you think they’ve wrongly taken money from your pay and ask them to pay you the money back as soon as possible. If they refuse to pay you back, you might be able to make a claim for unauthorised deductions from wages to an employment tribunal.
Can an employer withhold your wages?
An employer cannot lawfully deduct money from an employee’s wages unless the employee has agreed, in writing, that the employer can do so. Provided the overtime is properly payable to you then you can make a claim for unlawful deduction of wages against the Company.
Is it illegal to withhold wages?
Can a company withhold pay from an employee who owes them money?
Employers have no right to withhold paychecks because of a claim of a debt owed to the employer. Failure to pay within an employee who quits within 72 hours are liable for penalties on top of the wages in question, even if the employer is owed money.
Can a employer withhold pay from an absent employee?
There are not many situations in which an employer can legally withhold pay from one of their employees. In most cases, even if an employee is absent, they still have a right to their pay.
Can a employer withhold overtime pay from an employee?
An employer cannot withhold any payment, and employees can’t be forced to kick back any portion of their wages. Employers are also expected to give employees any overtime pay on the same day they receive their regular paychecks.
When can you withhold money from an employee’s check?
While you do not have to hand them a paycheck on their last day of work, you may not withhold their paycheck until they have returned company property. In fact, if you do fail to pay your terminated employee on time, they may sue you in civil court and be entitled to double damages.
