Can I deduct a till shortage from wages?

Only with the employee's written agreement or where a court order or law permits it (BCEA s34). Unilateral deductions are unlawful.

Is a till shortage automatically theft?

No. Without evidence of dishonesty, the correct charge is negligence or failure to follow cash-up procedure.

Misconduct · Charge Sheet Template

Cash Register / Till Shortage & Failure to Follow Cash-Up Procedure Charge Sheet & Hearing Pack

Charge sheet for cash register/till shortages and failure to follow cash-up procedure — distinguish negligence from dishonesty under the Sept 2025 Code.

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Step 1 · Offence & Statutory Guardrail Intake

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Offence

2025 Code Offence Guide & Sanction Rule — Cash Register / Till Shortage & Failure to Follow Cash-Up Procedure

What must be proven: Reconcile the till and document the exact shortage; Check whether others had access to the same till.

First-offence guideline: A shortage alone does not prove theft. Charge failure to follow cash-up procedure (negligence) unless there is evidence of dishonesty. A written warning is typical for a first offence; deductions from wages require written agreement or legal authority.

Recommended action mode: Direct Warning Pack — corrective discipline is usually appropriate for a first offence; escalate to a hearing for repeat or serious cases.

Example wording: It is alleged that on or about 15 January 2026, at the workplace, a cash shortage was recorded on your till, and that you failed to follow the Company's cash-up and balancing procedure in that you as will be set out in evidence at the hearing.

Manager's raw incident notes

Or pick the closest symptom — we configure the charge, alternative and action mode:

Company nameEmployee full name13-digit SA ID numberJob titleGross monthly salary (ZAR)Engagement start date

Incident dateIncident timeLocationSupervisor / Manager name & role

Formal allegation (appears on the charge sheet)

Include Legal Alternative Charge on Charge Sheet

No automatic alternative for this offence. Do not add an unsupported allegation.

Prior warnings on file

None recorded.

Proposed hearing date & time (SAST)Hearing venueChairperson nameInitiator (employer representative)

Employee is a shift/weekend worker (allow weekend hearing times)Include Precautionary Suspension Notice (On Full Remuneration Pending Hearing — LRA s186(2)(b))

Understanding this offence: Cash Register / Till Shortage & Failure to Follow Cash-Up Procedure

LRA 66 of 1995; BCEA s34 (deductions only with agreement or legal authorisation); Code of Good Practice: Dismissal (Sept 2025).

Standard charge formulation

It is alleged that on or about 15 January 2026, at the workplace, a cash shortage was recorded on your till, and that you failed to follow the Company's cash-up and balancing procedure in that you as will be set out in evidence at the hearing.

First-offence sanction guideline: A shortage alone does not prove theft. Charge failure to follow cash-up procedure (negligence) unless there is evidence of dishonesty. A written warning is typical for a first offence; deductions from wages require written agreement or legal authority.

CCMA procedural fairness checklist

Reconcile the till and document the exact shortage
Check whether others had access to the same till
Review CCTV and transaction logs before alleging dishonesty
Establish which cash-up procedure steps were not followed
Never deduct the shortage from wages without written agreement

Guidance only — establish the facts, consider the employee's response, consistency and mitigation. No automatic sanction or guaranteed CCMA outcome.

Standard charge formulation

It is alleged that on or about [DATE], at [LOCATION], a cash shortage was recorded on your till, and that you failed to follow the Company's cash-up and balancing procedure in that you [CONDUCT].

Statutory guidance

Statutory reference	LRA 66 of 1995; BCEA s34 (deductions only with agreement or legal authorisation); Code of Good Practice: Dismissal (Sept 2025).
First-offence sanction guideline	A shortage alone does not prove theft. Charge failure to follow cash-up procedure (negligence) unless there is evidence of dishonesty. A written warning is typical for a first offence; deductions from wages require written agreement or legal authority.
Category	Misconduct

CCMA procedural fairness checklist

Reconcile the till and document the exact shortage
Check whether others had access to the same till
Review CCTV and transaction logs before alleging dishonesty
Establish which cash-up procedure steps were not followed
Never deduct the shortage from wages without written agreement

Frequently asked questions

Can I deduct a till shortage from wages?: Only with the employee's written agreement or where a court order or law permits it (BCEA s34). Unilateral deductions are unlawful.
Is a till shortage automatically theft?: No. Without evidence of dishonesty, the correct charge is negligence or failure to follow cash-up procedure.