Legal Question in Employment Law in California

Half Hour Deduction for being Six Minutes Late

I was notified by our office manager that my paycheck would be deducted a half an hour of pay because I clocked into work at 7:36AM, six minutes late. I thought businesses deducted to the nearest quarter hour(.25). I've checked our newly issued employee manual and it doesn't state that our work hours are in halves and not in quarters. Also the manual does not mention that you'll be deducted a half hour pay for being more than 5 minutes late to work. Is this legal? If they issue an addendum to the manual addressing these two issues, could they still legally do this? By the way, I am an at-will employee. Could they terminate me just for raising this issue?


Asked on 1/29/04, 3:26 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Donald Holben Donald R. Holben & Associates, APC

Re: Half Hour Deduction for being Six Minutes Late

Legally can only deduct time not there, ie., six minutes. Responding to your other questions, since they appear not to want to follow law by reducing pay a half hour for six minuts late, they likely may not follow law and fire you for bringing attention to this, however, if they do it is actionable. Talk to an attorney

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Answered on 2/04/04, 4:41 pm


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