Is an employer allowed to withhold wages from an employee?

In Washington, an employer is not allowed to withhold wages from an employee without a lawful basis. This means that the employer cannot withhold wages without a legal reason unless the employee has agreed to such an arrangement. An example of a lawful basis could be if the employer has the authority to withhold wages in order to pay taxes, or if the employee has authorized the deduction of a portion of their wages for repayment of a loan, or for other authorized deductions. It is important to note that some deductions must be authorized by the employee in writing, and any deduction for debts must be agreed upon between the employer and the employee prior to it taking place. An employer in Washington is also not allowed to withhold wages for disciplinary reasons, as this could be deemed illegal wage deduction. For instance, if an employee took a long break without permission, the employer cannot withhold wages from the employee as a punishment. Employers are also not allowed to require that employees sign an agreement that would allow them to withhold wages from employees. If an employee wishes to withhold their wages, they must do so with the guidance of an attorney or other qualified representative. Further, should an employee have questions about their paycheck or feel that their wages are being withheld unlawfully, they should contact the Department of Labor and Industries, which regulates wage and hour laws in the state of Washington.

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Is an employer allowed to withhold wages from an employee?

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