The situation: A restaurant imposes fines on staff: five minutes late = a day's pay docked, a wrong dish = a set deduction, sometimes dropping wages below the minimum.
Applicable law: Deductions may not exceed 20% of monthly wages, nor push net pay below the local minimum wage. Disciplinary 'fines' for ordinary mistakes have no legal basis; only where the company proves actual loss can it deduct, within the limits.
Outcome: Staff complained to the labor bureau, and the restaurant was ordered to refund the amounts docked beyond the cap and pay the minimum-wage shortfall.
👷 Labour disputes · Awareness case
Fines That Eat Your Salary — Are They Legal? · Yalla China
🤝 Governing law: 工资支付暂行规定 / Interim Provisions on Payment of Wages
Can your employer dock your pay with fines for small mistakes?
Illustrative, general educational examples — not real specific facts and not legal advice; for awareness only. For an actual situation, consult a licensed lawyer.
🎓 The lesson / takeaway
Lesson: A company is not a court handing out fines. Know the 20% cap and the minimum-wage floor — any deduction crossing them is recoverable.
🕒 Updated: 16 March 2026