Some companies require employees to pay the cost of such expenses as breakage, shortages, uniforms, and some tools. The U.S. Department of Labor says that employers may require employees to pay these costs, but the costs may not reduce the employee's wage below the current minimum wage level, nor may the cost cut into overtime compensation.  Before you decide to require employees to pay these costs, check with your state department of labor; it may have different (higher) restrictions on requiring employees to pay these costs.