Paycheck issues

I'm hoping someone here can help me with an issue I'm having with my one job. Normally we recieve a paper paycheck weekly. Well recently they decided to switch to direct deposit. Meaning no more paper checks. On the form they gave me for the direct deposit and I quote "I hereby autorize the Public Opinion to add, transfer or deduct any amount owed into or from this account". I don't agree to the terms. I'm contracted with them to deliver their papers and they charge for various things like missed papers, supplies etc... I don't like the idea that they can take money out of my bank account at their discretion. I told the lady thats in charge of payroll that I wont sign it because of that and she told me then I won't be getting paid :scruntiny:... something sounds fishy here. Is there any legal recourse I can take if I do not agree to the terms? I know they can't not pay me, and they'll charge for not delivering my routes if I refuse to not show up.

Contact your state's Department of Labor/wages and ask them. They can better answer that question and provide information on what legal recourse you might have as other options.

While I agree with your opinion, its actually pretty standard language. The main reason for the language is for companies to recover incorrectly paid wages. ie - payrolls screws up and sends employee A's commission/salary to employee B. Believe it or not, I have seen it happen. One of my fellow salesguy's $50,000 commission was direct deposited into one of the hourly guy's accounts. Geez, that turned out to be a freakin mess.

Dont they have to offer a paper check? I hate direct deposit/withdraw anything. No one should have their hands in my account except me.

You can do what I did and open a free account through ING or another bank for just direct deposits. That way it isn't mixed in with my "normal" checking account. The funds are deposited into my ING account, once they post I transfer them to my normal account. Takes a couple of days, but I don't mind it for an added layer of security.

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Originally Posted by SIXTO

Dont they have to offer a paper check? I hate direct deposit anything. No one should have their hands in my account except me.

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I'm with you there. It's my account to access, no one elses. I had a rather testy exchange with a self storage company over that one myself. I insisted on a bill as their employees can rarely get their accounting right. They want to charge me extra for NOT giving them access to withdraw directly. No freakin' way!!!

I'd check with your Dept. of Labor to find out what the rules really are.

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Originally Posted by USPnTX

While I agree with your opinion, its actually pretty standard language. The main reason for the language is for companies to recover incorrectly paid wages. ie - payrolls screws up and sends employee A's commission/salary to employee B.

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It is standard language and a common practice.

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Originally Posted by dunndw

You can do what I did and open a free account through ING or another bank for just direct deposits. That way it isn't mixed in with my "normal" checking account. The funds are deposited into my ING account, once they post I transfer them to my normal account. Takes a couple of days, but I don't mind it for an added layer of security.

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This is a pretty great idea! You could actually probably just open an account at one of their "qualifying" banks (if they limit your choice) and use it only for that.

All in all, its not a big deal, and you're thinking about financial security and privacy practices, but I'd rather get a paycheck than not.....:9:

All banks do basically the same thing. If you owe them, they will take it out of your account.

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Originally Posted by Supertac45

All banks do basically the same thing. If you owe them, they will take it out of your account.

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Yeah, but it is his employer that wants the ability to take money out of his account at their discretion!

If this practice is allowed in the OP's state, then I would do as the other posters have stated, to open an account just for their electronic deposits, and arrange to have the monies in that account transferred as soon as deposited (automatically, if possible).

I do the same thing with multiple accounts. One for transfers in and one that is my household account that I can transfer too. You could also consider using PayPal if you don't want to have the accounts at the same bank.

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Originally Posted by AutoFan

If this practice is allowed in the OP's state, then I would do as the other posters have stated, to open an account just for their electronic deposits, and arrange to have the monies in that account transferred as soon as deposited (automatically, if possible).

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Thats the thing, it isn't allowed, but if I am forced to sign it in fear of not getting paid then they can do it. Thats what I don't like :aargh4:

It's cool, pretty standard stuff. I've had direct deposit off and on for over 20 years (I think) and never had any problems or unscrupulous activity from my employers. I was kinda' skeptical at the onset, but I prefer it over paper now due to the convenience.

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Originally Posted by Pro2A

Thats the thing, it isn't allowed, but if I am forced to sign it in fear of not getting paid then they can do it. Thats what I don't like :aargh4:

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If I were a wagering man I would bet that you are being fed a line. Because I would expect that most businesses have at least one employee who does not have a bank account. I find it difficult to believe that a business would be allowed to force their employees to have bank accounts. If the state department of labor is not a help check with the US department of labor. Even the US government doesn't require all its employees or Social Security recipients to have a bank account or do direct deposit. If the IRS can't require it, I doubt that anybody else can either.

The air force required that we all have direct deposit. I understand your concern, but it is as they say "standard language." If it's not a mom and pop company, then I wouldn't worry about it. The only reason it's worded like that is in case they fudge and deposit too much into your account, then they can take it back. Don't spend what you didn't earn and you'll be fine. Like the others suggested, if you wan't, just use the account for direct deposit, every payday transfer all of your rightfully earned funds to an account they can't touch. Easier than going to the bank anyway.

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Originally Posted by Sonic Misfit

I do the same thing with multiple accounts. One for transfers in and one that is my household account that I can transfer too. You could also consider using PayPal if you don't want to have the accounts at the same bank.

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PayPal is not too popular in the CCW community. A very 'Anti' company from what I've heard.