NJSS
Wage, Uniforms, and Deductions

Uniforms and Deductions
- Deductions to an employee’s paycheck are not permitted.
- These unpermitted deductions are commonly seen as:
- Missing or a shortage of cash (register) or merchandise
- Employer required uniforms
- Necessary work tools
- If a uniform cannot be worn as street clothes – for example, it has a company logo-- then it must be provided and paid for by the employer.
- Deductions are illegal if they:
- Reduce wages of employees below minimum wage or reduce the amount of overtime pay due; and,
- Purchase personal protective equipment/gear (PPE) required for the worker to prevent exposure to hazards.
Wage
- United States (Federal) Minimum Wage = $7.25
- New Jersey Minimum Wage = $14.13 (as of 1/1/2023)
- The minimum wage is expected to rise again 1/1/2019.
- Any job in New Jersey (NJ) must pay the NJ minimum wage.
- When working for tips, the tips must equal the legal minimum wage for your state.
- Example: Minimum wage $2.13 + tip credit up to $6.47 per hour = $8.60