Employer trying to charge employee with auto insur. deductible

[RugerRW]

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

My step-son had an accident in the company vehicle. His employer wanted him to either pay the $500 deduct or cost of vehicle before accident. It was never in his contract at hiring that he would be responsible.
Since he refused, he is now not allowed to drive for this company, being demoted and his salary cut (to be determined by management). He is not allowed back at work until he signs this 2nd agreement.

Is any of this legal?

 

[swalsh411]

It wouldn't be legal for them them deduct it from his pay (which it sounds like they did not do) but it's perfectly legal for them to demote him or reduce his pay (going forward) because he had an accident in a company vehicle. I've heard of employers firing employees who get into accidents regardless of fault and that's legal as well.

What is this "second agreement"? That he is being demoted?

 

[RugerRW]

He was given a first agreement to sign that he would either pay the deduct. or the value of the truck before it was wrecked. He refused that, so was given the 2nd agreement that he would be demoted, lose driving company vehicle and take cut in pay.

 

[swalsh411]

No laws are being broken. It is perfectly legal for them to demote him. It's not going to get any better for him by not signing. They might fire him if he takes too long to decide. If he thinks he can do better elsewhere he would at least have some money coming in while he looks.

 

[ecmst12]

It's perfectly reasonable for them to ask him to pay the deductible if he was at fault for the accident.