Legal Question in Business Law in Massachusetts

Deducting money from paycheck

I work for a salon as a stylist and we

receive a percentage of the services

we do..... 50% for a haircuts and

40% for hair color services..... The

salon of course offers hair products

for sale. Well, my boss got the idea

that based on how many clients we

see per week, we should be required

to sell a certain amount of products

per week. If we do not, the salon

deducts 1 dollar from every service

that we do. If I do 45 services and

do not sell 15+ products that week, I

have $45 dollars deducted from my

check. When it was questioned I was

told it was legal, other people have

said no.

It sounds illegal to me


Asked on 8/28/08, 4:58 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

Re: Deducting money from paycheck

The answer to your question depends on the relationship between you and the salon owner... are you an EMPLOYEE or an independent contractor who leases Chair Space from the Salon. As an employee, the employer must comply with the wage and hour laws, tax withholdings, overtime laws, etc. As an independent contractor, the businesses may enter into a variety of agreements, however, whetehr a person is an employee or contractor is a matter that can be reviewed by the State Attorney General.

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Answered on 8/28/08, 5:42 pm
henry lebensbaum Law Offices of Henry Lebensbaum (978-749-3606)

: Deducting money from paycheck

I agree with Ray.

Under the circumstances, I am not even convinced that DOR will view you as an independent contractor, even if there is an agreement to such a relationship.

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Answered on 8/28/08, 11:34 pm


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