The employer I work for has recently either terminated employees and, or upon their 2 week notice of quitting, reduced their final paycheck to minimum wage for the number of hours worked by the individual. From what I understand an employer in the state of kentucky can potentially make these deductions to your final paycheck, BUT only after stating that the pay for the hours to be worked would be at this reduced rate before the hours are to be worked. My question is...can you the employee actually sign away your right to work at the agreed rate in the hiring phase in exchange for this reduced rate (minimum wage being met) during the final week of your employment with the company? Would the signing of a memo, which is required in order to gain employment with the specific company, during the hiring phase even constitute as a formal acknowledgement of this, or does the employer have to give notice in a written statement or verbally directly before the hours are to be worked at these reduced wages?

The law does not specify the timing or method of notification. Therefore, such acknowledgement at hiring would appear to be sufficient. I'm surprised anybody ever gives notice at that company. In my opinion, it's a poor practice, but it's not illegal.