What can an employer legally deduct from a worker’s pay?
An employer can legally deduct the amount necessary to satisfy: ( 1) federal and state taxes ( 2) social security taxes ( 3) advances on wages made without discount or interest ( 4) court ordered payments such as child support ( 5) contributions for health insurance if previously consented to by the worker, ( 6) savings bond purchases when voluntarily authorized by a worker ( 7) any deductions requested by a worker to enable them to repay loans to or purchase shares in a credit union ( 8) any deduction authorized by a worker to agencies such as the Red Cross or United Way ( 9) any deduction authorized by a worker to pay regular union initiation fees (10) membership dues but not fines or special assessments (11)any other deduction allowed pursuant to the federal Copeland Act. All of the above deductions may be made without the approval of the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor. Other deductions may require the approval of such Secretary.
