Fired and Wages Withheld

[Uzoma]

Location: Phoenix, Arizona.

My name is John, an employee of a Shelter for teenagers. I was processing the admission of a teenager into the shelter, I left the office unlocked briefly. When I went back and locked in. Apparently the moment the door was unlocked, a teenager went in the office and removed the Shetler's Van keys. The teenager went AWOL driving the van. The van was recovered by the police and the 16 year old teenager arrested.
Employee was fired from the job and the Director said that she will apply John's wages (52 hours) to the repair of the damaged van.
Is it lawful and/or fair to be fired and at the same time withhold my wages?

Thanks.
John

 

[cbg]

It is lawful to be fired. I personally think it's fair but that's a personal opinion. In any case, the law does not require fair; it only requires legal. Firing you is.

However, withholding your pay is not. You must be paid for all the time you actually worked. File a complaint with the AZ DOL if you do not receive your pay.

They may or may not be able to sue you for the repairs; I don't have access to that information just now. But they can't not pay you, although they can fire you.