Hi,

I read one of your articles. I have an employee who is in and out of jail but does good work for me. He is making $18 an hour. I think I should lower his pay to $16 an hour because he is often absent because of jail. Is this a bad idea because an employer should never lower an employees pay? Is the only choice I have is keep him at $18 or fire him?


What I am worried about are the negative repercussions.


Thank you for your help.


Audrey

You can tell him that his frequent absences are costing you money as you have to either hire temp help to cover or in lost productivity. Because of that if he wants to continue to work for you, he needs to take a paycut. While it's a risk that he may walk, I think the risk is small because he would find it hard to find an employer so lenient.

Why a 2 dollar cut in pay, what exactly is this going to change ?'

When he is present, does he earn and is puductive ?