My employer changed the time on the timeclock and I was late, now what?

Question

My employer "corrected" the time on the timeclock without notifying the employees. Yesterday, I was early (the same time on my cell phone), this morning I was 2 minutes late. My employer deducts $5 from our paychecks each time we are late for work as part of an incentive program to be on time. I don't think it's fair that they changed the time without even telling us. Is there a government agency that regulates time in the United States that I can recommend they sinc the timeclock to? Do I have any way to get my deduction back?

To those who think I am being immature about the situation:
1. As of the time on the clock yesterday, I was always ATLEAST 5 minutes early for work.
2. I have worked for this company full time for 9 years, so my employment history is not an issue.

The incentive program has been inplace for about 6 months. Unfortunately, we do not have an employee hand book, so the policy and the deductions are not in writing.

Answer 1

there may be away but it's gonna be very time consuming & not worth the $5.00 your fighting for. U can contact maybe like the board of labor in your area or the employment office in your area. they will advise u better.

Or, those in your work center can sign a petition disputing their findings & note the things about not being notified about the clock new adjustment (so, that u can synchonize your clock & watches to theirs).

I worked for a company that did something like that; more than once but I never either bother to put a fuss up. Because, they were very adamant & I know things could get messy. Because, it was a messy company to work w/(the environment was corrupted).

But, hey Good Luck to you & weigh your options. Is this really worth the fight? try the petition & if that doesnt work leave it alone. Start looking for another company that may offer something better to enhance your life; or even go back to sch. and take some class.

It sounds like this company is like my old company & feel that u need them more than they need u...(like they can workers like u all; "a dime a dozen". Most legit companies play fair & their is a Human resource dept. that handles gripes & try to work them out fairly.

In my eyes u have a legitmate; case.

Answer 2

If you knew about the program when you began employment and if it is writing and if the time on the clock is correct you have no case. If your employer moved the clock ahead just to make people late then you could argue with them for your $5.

Personally I wouldn't bother, you knew about the program and you still chose to cut it as close as you could when getting into work. You should have chosen to get there a few minutes early regardless of this program or not. What if you hit all red lights on the way to work, or there was an accident that caused traffic to backup....both could also cause you to be late because you took no steps to prevent it.

Sorry, but instead of worrying about the $5 use it as your personal incentive to get out of the house a little earlier and arrive at work early

Answer 3

The government agency that deal with when when people get fired is the Unemployment Agency and there rule is that peeople are expected to be at work 5 minutes early so if you were coming in and trying to clock in at exactly the time you had to be there and ended uup being 2 minutes late due to a very minor clock change, then I think you chould re-evalute your:
1. Level of Maturity
2. Level of Professionalism

There are a lot of people in this world who need a job and would do almost anything and you are complaining because you are expected to be at work on-time.

Answer 4

Try not to cut it so close.

Call the wage and hour or labor board where you live and ask if that type of deduction is legal. It probably isn't.

If you are punching a clock, you should get paid for the time worked and not be subject to whimsical "deductions". Unless you make $2.50 a minute, they owe you your $5 back.

Answer 5

Seems unfair but right now I'd make sure my cell phone or whatever device I use be in sync with time clock. I than would than check with the Labour board to see about this. I'm sure they have some sort of guideline or at least help you out.
If you are in a union your rep will go to task for you. Good Luck

Answer 6

unplug the clock....wait a few minutes... then tell your employer the timeclock isn't working how can he be sure you're late if the clock is not reliable(like you are!) ...don't be tardy anymore to justify your argument.......p.s. the plug should be pulled just enough to disconnect(if yo're really good get it to work intermitantly). deduct $5 from his pocket for causing trauma to your already trying day!!!

Answer 7

Have you explained the situation to your boss or their boss??
You should be at your job 5 minutes early anyway. This allows you time if your clock and theirs is different.

Answer 8

You can dial your area code then TIME222 and it will give you the precise time to the second. Or most cellphones now are automatically set, so you could go by that.

As far as getting your deduction back? I doubt it. It sounds like your boss/company sucks.

Answer 9

study your settlement of employment. If, in this settlement that asserts that your organization can request you to artwork diverse shifts while needed, then he's interior of his rights. i might say that no rely what shift you're on, be grateful which you have a job.

Answer 10

what are you still doing there! RESIGN.