Submitted by Cantabridgian123 on Sun, 07/10/2011 - 20:58
Instead of direct deposit my employer does wire transfers. We are a small company of about 10 people. At least 2 employees have been hit with wire transfer fees from their banks. Basically they pay $12 each time they get paid.
One employee has asked to be reimbursed and the answer from the boss was no (which I heard from the boss himself since I am HR and I brought the issue up on behalf of the employee when the employee got no answer from him directly).
Is it lawful for the employer pay via wire transfer knowing that employees get hit with a fee every time. The boss also told me not to mention the wire transfer fee problem to anyone else in case anyone has been hit with bank fees but has not noticed.
Fees associated with wages
As you know, employees must receive correct payment for all hours worked in MA. Under Massachusetts law, there can be no fees (charged by employer) associated with the payment of wages earned in Massachusetts. However, given that it is the employee's bank that is charging the fee, I don't believe that is illegal. Why don't the employees shop around a bit and find a bank that will accept wire transfers without a fee?