Deducting Unreturned Equipment Costs Alabama

[JDDooley]

As an restaurant employer in Alabama, may I deduct the cost of uniforms and/or equipment supplied/loaned to an employee from their last paycheck if the do not return the items supplied to them at the end of their employment? Specifically, if an employee is given a uniform to use and they do not return this uniform after their employment ends may I charge them for the replacement of this uniform?
Thank you

[Pattymd]

Alabama law defers to federal law when it comes to wage and hour and wage payment issues. The only thing federal law requires is that the deduction not reduce the employee to below minimum wage.

Having said that, however, best practice is to NEVER deduct from an employee's paycheck without the deduction, specific to the circumstance, authorized in writing by the employee.

[JDDooley]

Thank you very much