Employee Wage and Hour Rights FAQ

Questions:

• Am I entitled to overtime pay?
• If I get paid tips, can my employer pay me less than minimum wage?
• Does my employer have to pay me for time spent on required training?
• Can my employer require me to clock out when I take a break?
• Can my employer pay the federal minimum wage if the state's minimum wage is higher?
• How much of my paycheck can be garnished to pay child support?
• Can my employer make me pay for a work uniform that's covered in the company's name and logos?

Answer:

Can my employer make me pay for a work uniform that's covered in the company's name and logos?

It depends on the laws of your state, in part. Under federal law, an employer can require employees to buy a uniform and pay to have it cleaned, as long as the employee is still earning at least the minimum wage once these costs are subtracted. Many states see the issue differently, however. Some don't allow employers to charge employees for uniforms at all. Others allow employers to charge for a uniform only if it can also be used a street wear -- and an outfit that's emblazoned with the company's tags doesn't count. To learn more about which costs an employer can pass on to you, see Nolo's article Paycheck Deductions for Uniforms, Cash Shortages, Tools, and More.