What Can Be Deducted from my Pay?
In California, an employer may lawfully deduct the following from a person’s wages:
- Deductions that are required of the employer by federal or state law, such as income taxes or garnishments.
- Deductions expressly authorized in writing by the employee to cover insurance premiums, hospital or medical dues or other deductions not amounting to a rebate or deduction from the wage paid to the employee.
- Deductions authorized by a collective bargaining or wage agreement, specifically to cover health and welfare or pension payments.
Most any other kind of deduction from your pay would violate the Labor Code.
