What is an Unlawful Deductions from wages?

If for any reason your employer has failed to pay you or even paid you less than you are entitled to, you may have a claim for unlawful deductions from wages.

The deductions from your pay will be unlawful if any of the following applies:

• it is not required or authorised by any legislation;
• it was not authorised as set out in your contract of employment;
• it was not consented to or agreed by yourself in writing before it was taken.

There are some limited exceptions where a deduction will be lawful, for example, you were previously overpaid.

Expert employment solicitor Paul Jackson answers some questions and explains the rules around unlawful deductions.

• What is an unlawful deduction from wages?
• What counts as “wages” for the purposes of unlawful deductions claim?
• When an employer does not pay a bonus, can that be considered an unlawful deduction?