Ireland

My employer deducted pay without my consent.

Written consent
Required for most deductions
Section 5
Relevant law
1991 Act
Statute year
No penalty
For unlawful deduction
The Short Answer

Your employer generally cannot deduct pay without your written consent, except in limited cases allowed by law — such as court orders or statutory deductions.

What the Law Says

The Payment of Wages Act 1991 protects employees from unauthorised wage deductions. Section 5 sets out strict rules about when an employer may lawfully deduct money from your pay.

Under Irish law, your employer must pay you your full wages unless a deduction is permitted by law or you have given prior written consent. This includes salary, bonuses, commissions, and holiday pay.

Permitted deductions include those required by law (e.g., PAYE, PRSI, USC), court-ordered deductions (e.g., maintenance payments), or deductions expressly agreed to in writing by you — such as pension contributions or union dues.

Deductions made without your written agreement — even if your employer believes they are justified (e.g., for breakages, shortages, or disciplinary reasons) — are unlawful unless specifically authorised by statute.

Statutory Text

An employer shall not make any deduction from the wages of an employee unless— (a) the deduction is required or authorised by statute, (b) the deduction is authorised by the employee's contract of employment and is not prohibited by this Act, or (c) the employee has given prior written consent to the deduction.

— Payment of Wages Act 1991, s. 5 — Deductions from wages

What to Do

1

Check your payslip and employment contract to confirm whether the deduction was authorised in writing or required by law.

2

Contact your employer in writing to request clarification and repayment of any unlawful deduction.

3

If unresolved within a reasonable time, make a complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) — there is no fee and strict time limits apply.

4

You must file a complaint within 6 months of the deduction (extendable to 12 months in exceptional circumstances).

Sources

statutePayment of Wages Act 1991, s. 5 — Deductions from wages

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Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.