Legal to charge employee for company cost?

[Torellian]

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

I just applied for a job at a security company and was offered a position. While I was signing the papers, I was informed that I'll have to go to a place to do a drug test on my own time, then go to another place to be fingerprinted for a background check. Then I was told that the company covers the costs, but then they will deduct the cost from my paycheck. They will also deduct for a name tag for my uniform. Total deductions (which he changes every time I ask) is around $110. Everyone I've asked about this thinks it's crazy that I'm being required to pay this money to my employer. A job is about making money, not spending it. I was also just informed that my pay for the first 3 months will be $2 less per hour than what was advertised. That will cost me another $600 in pay over that time period.

Is it legal for the employer to be charging me these expenses?

[donbmad]

I'm not sure, but I'm certain it's legal for you to not take the job. You'd probably be better off.

[dolebot]

Everyone I've asked about this thinks it's crazy that I'm being required to pay this money to my employer.

Yup, I wouldn't do it. Then again I wouldn't work for any place that wanted to sample my bodily fluids either.

It's not illegal. If it's not specifically prohibited - Most likely - it is allowed. And I've never heard of a law saying employers must pay for pre-employment testing. Maybe in WI its that way. I doubt it.

Find a better job. This economy sucks I know.

[thedoctorisin]

I think you have to sign something authorizing those deductions. But the company can refuse to hire you if you don't sign the authorization.

[CraigFL]

I can't understand why people are telling you not to take the job??? It is not uncommon for employers to start you out at a lower base pay until they see your performance as well as require you to pay for incidentials to do your job like nametags and tests. If I was a good worker and wanted a job like that, I wouldn't be afraid or angry about taking it. The employer wants to be sure you are commited to them before they hire you.

[eerelations]

It's extremely common (and legal) for security companies to require employees to pay for their uniforms and equipment.

[Torellian]

Originally Posted by thedoctorisin

I think you have to sign something authorizing those deductions. But the company can refuse to hire you if you don't sign the authorization.

One fact that I forgot to mention before because I didn't think of it as too important at the time is the fact that those deduction forms I had to sign for the background check and drug tests were blank when I had to sign them. I showed this to the supervisor, and he said, "Just go ahead and sign it and the blanks will be filled in by the office later". When I told other people about this later on, they told me that it sounds pretty fishy, and that the office could fill in whatever they wanted after I already signed it. They said that if the company does things like this right off the bat, I could expect more of the same after I started working for them. They (about a dozen people) advised me against taking the job. So I ended up not taking it.