Is this even legal for a company to do?

Question

In my department I work for there is a huge problem with people being late and calling in. The problem is morale is about 0 and the managers are only out to cover there azz and they dont care about us and treat us like robots.

But anyway our immediate managers told us that upper managment is planning to start docking pay if your late. They said that if your late on anyday without prior approval they will dock your pay by 1 hour even if it is just a few minutes late.

I thought to myself this is not even legal and I wanted to ask if it was legal or not? And we are on hourly pay and not salary. Many people said if they dock my pay I will have there azzes on a platter with the labor department and if they fire me for that I will have there azzes in court on a lawsuit.

Answer 1

You've been notified by upper management.  It's legal.

Answer 2

In genereal, it is legal since most employees are under the exemption of professional employees. Also, most employees are paid above the minimum wage and work on an "at will" basis. Be sure to read the employee handbook; there may have been a clause that allowed them to adjust the wage for improper performance. Just start showing up on time, since than it won't apply to you. That's what I would do.

You don't want to be a troublemaker since that won't win you brownie points when looking for another job. At least you're not being fired and as the next poster says, you've been notified by management so take it or leave it.

Answer 3

This isn't going to be the sympathetic answer you were looking for!  I'm chuckling about people who are more worried about getting docked for an hour, than about losing their jobs!  I believe if this becomes a written attendance policy, then by continuing to work after you are aware of the policy, you agree to it.  Anyone who is late could be fired right now, since part of the terms of employment is that you show up on time, and no labor board or court is going to take a complaint seriously from someone who couldn't get to work on time.

You're lucky your employer is lenient on this; I've fired folks for being late three times in 6 months even with a called in excuse -- bottom line is that an employer deserves employees who show up on time and deliver 60 minutes of work for each hour paid.  Why is it ok for folks to gyp the employer of time by coming in late, but it's not ok for the employer to do it back in paycheck?  Sounds unfair when put that way, doesn't it?  It's easy to say, well, I was only a little bit late -- but imagine your reaction if your employer tried to say well, your check is only a little bit short . . .

Ok, sounds like your place of employment isn't a fun place to be; but you always have the option of seeking a new place of employment if you don't like it . . . and that would be a better use of your energy than pursuing this kind of battle with management.  Or maybe you could make a difference in morale, go positive instead of negative at work . .

Answer 4

Yeah, it's legal.  Unless you're in a union job, there is not much anybody can do about it.  I agree with the other responder.  Just show up to work on time and it won't be an issue.

If you're so unhappy, find another job.  If you can't find another job, then you just have to bite the bullet.