Legal Question in Employment Law in Florida

Can an employer garnish pay for lost equipment?

Is it legal for an employer to make an

employee pay for equipment that is

lost.

My son works for a non-profit television

station. His job is to help the producers

learn how to use the studio's

equipment.

One night a camera turned up missing.

His boss is tying to make him pay for

the camera.

There are several sets shooting video at

the same time. There were many other

employees and non-employees at the

studio at the time. There is also a

receptionist who sits by the door.

Why his boss feels he is responsible is

uncertain to me. There is nothing in his

contract saying he is financially

responsible for lost or stolen

equipment. She is threatening to

garnish his pay. She will not stop

pestering him to pay. Today she

brought him some paper to sign stating

that he would pay.

Can she force him to pay? Can she

garnish his wage? Can she fire him for

not paying. What type of lawyer does

he need?

Thanks this is making me crazy.


Asked on 9/07/06, 6:33 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Keith Stern Shavitz Law Group

Re: Can an employer garnish pay for lost equipment?

Unfortunately, the employer potentially could make deductions to his pay down to the minimum wage, which is to say that let's say he makes $20/hour, in which case they could deduct from his pay all the way down to $6.40/hour under Florida law or as low as $5.15/hour under federal law. As a result, often times leaving the employment is an alternative, albeit now a preferred one . . .

Read more
Answered on 9/08/06, 11:24 am


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