Imagine checking your salary only to realise RM800 is missing, then being told it was deducted because a company laptop was damaged.
That was allegedly what happened to a Malaysian employee, according to a story shared on Threads which has since gained attention online.
The worker had reportedly been with the company for six years and was earning RM4,300 a month when he noticed an RM800 deduction from his salary.
HR allegedly told him to pay for damaged laptop
According to the post, the worker approached HR to ask why his salary was RM800 short.
He was allegedly told that the company laptop had been damaged and that he had to bear the cost.
Instead of challenging the deduction, the worker initially accepted it as he was afraid to question the company.
The person who shared the story then asked whether he had signed any agreement when receiving the laptop that allowed the company to deduct money from his salary if it was damaged.
Apparently, he had not.
He was then encouraged to go back to HR and question the deduction.
RM800 reportedly returned a week later
A week after he raised the matter again, the worker reportedly received his RM800 back.
The poster claimed the money was returned because the company knew that there were rules governing what employers can deduct from an employee’s wages.
Under Section 24 of Malaysia’s Employment Act 1955, employers cannot make deductions from an employee’s wages unless the deduction is permitted under the Act. Employment Act 1955
The Act provides for certain lawful deductions, including recovery of salary overpayments, indemnity owed under specific circumstances, recovery of wage advances and deductions authorised by other written laws. Other categories may also be subject to conditions such as the employee’s written request or approval from the Director General.
Making wage deductions outside those permitted under Section 24 is also listed as an offence under the Act.
Other workers share similar experiences
The post prompted several Malaysians to share their own experiences with salary deductions.
One commenter claimed they had once been asked to pay RM800 after workplace equipment was damaged, despite alleging that someone else was responsible.
Another said they would question even a RM30 discrepancy in their salary, saying employees had the right to know where their money went.
There was also a commenter who claimed to have seen payslips showing EPF deductions despite the corresponding contributions allegedly not appearing in the employee’s EPF statement.
Employees who believe there may be an issue involving their wages can also lodge a complaint with the Department of Labour Peninsular Malaysia.
According to JTKSM, complaints can be submitted through its nearest office, email, SISPAA or the Working for Workers app.
Complainants may also need to provide supporting documents such as their employment contract and latest payslip. JTKSM’s official complaints page
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