Can an employer make a deduction for uniforms or uniform maintenance?
A. No. The Law states “No deduction from the pay of employees for uniforms shall be permitted. If the employee pays for uniforms in cash and the cash payment brings the employee below the minimum wage, the employer shall make up the difference for the minimum wage for that week.” In addition, an employer may not require an employee to purchase a uniform that contains a company logo or cannot be worn as street wear. However, Section 34:11-4.4b(6) of the Wage Payment Law, NJSA 34:11-4.1 et seq., allows deductions including those for: “Payments authorized by employees or their collective bargaining agents for the rental of work clothing or uniforms or for the laundering or dry cleaning of work clothing or uniforms; provided the deductions for such payments are authorized by the employer.” Q.