We all make mistakes. But what if this happens at work? Can your employer force you to pay for a mistake at the cash register or if you break a few dishes?
Breakage or losses
In general, you don’t have to reimburse your employer if you break or lose something supplied by your employer while doing your job.
These losses are a normal part of doing business. Your employer must cover the cost of such incidents.
Cash register errors
In general, your employer can’t ask you to reimburse losses caused by an error at the cash register. These losses are generally considered a normal part of doing business. Your employer must cover these costs. But there are exceptions.
For example, a court has already decided that an employee had to reimburse losses caused by an error at the cash register because the employer was able to prove that:
- the employee was the only person responsible for the cash register,
- the rules for using the cash register were very strict and clearly defined,
- the loss was caused by the employee’s mistake, and not by an accident or a normal workplace situation.
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Important! Your employer doesn’t automatically have the right to be reimbursed even if all these conditions are met. Judges and arbitrators evaluate each situation on a case-by-case basis. |
Deducting money from your pay to cover losses
Your employer isn’t allowed to include a clause in your work contract that lets them deduct money from your pay if you break or lose equipment or if you make an error at the cash register. This type of clause is illegal and has no legal effect.
Your employer can only deduct money from your pay to cover a loss if you give your written authorization.
You can always change your mind and withdraw your authorization in writing.
In case of doubt, contact the CNESST
You can contact Quebec’s labour board, the Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CNESST), for information about your rights and obligations if you have a disagreement with your employer about a cash register error, broken or lost equipment, or a payroll deduction.