In California, employers cannot make employees pay for damage to company equipment. This is because employers are legally required to cover all expenses that happen while employees are doing their job. That means that any accidents, carelessness, or negligence that causes property damage while an employee is working must be paid for by the employer. This is part of the risk that employers take on, which balances against the chance of earning profit. However, employers may discipline or even terminate employees for damaging property. Even if it was an accident.
Employers can take employees to court to recover damages if employees intentionally cause property damages. However, employers cannot just deduct employees’ pay for property damages without a court order.