Employer Announces Fee for Criminal Background Check - AFTER Hiring Me

[ambientrain]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Alabama

So I started a new (temporary) job on September 28th of this year. Today, my employer told me that I needed to sign a form consenting to a criminal background check. That seemed a little late to me, but I had no problem with it. I read the form carefully, signed, and then I was told that there would be a $45 fee for the check to be run, and the fee would come out of my first paycheck - which I have yet to receive, BTW.

I just signed the form this morning and I'm going to ask if I can rescind my consent & shred the form.

My employer is also the college I'm attending, so I'm trying to handle things carefully, but I'm actually really angry.

Is asking me to sign (and pay for) this background check legal? No one even mentioned it before today.

Thanks for any input!

 

[pattytx]

Alabama is known for not much in the way of wage and hour law.

Betty3, is this something you've ever researched? I know the deduction itself would be legal.

 

[ambientrain]

Yes patty, you're right about that. The rumors are true... Alabama is far behind the rest of the country in many ways.
I'm from San Francisco and the difference is literally night and day!

 

[pattytx]

Yes patty, you're right about that. The rumors are true... Alabama is far behind the rest of the country in many ways.

Gosh, thanks for the confirmation (see my signature line).