Which term describes a legal procedure to collect money owed from wages?

• A. Ghost employee
• B. Garnishment
• C. Fringe benefits
• D. Harassment

Answer: (B)

Garnishment is a legal procedure that allows a creditor to collect money owed by having an employer withhold a portion of an employee’s wages. After a court or authorized order, the employer deducts a specified amount from each paycheck and sends it to the creditor until the debt is satisfied. This process protects both the creditor and the employee by ensuring payment while limiting how much can be taken, with specific rules about minimum payments and exemptions that vary by debt type and jurisdiction. In a restaurant payroll context, understanding garnishment helps ensure compliance with the law and proper payroll processing.

Other terms refer to different payroll or workplace concepts: a ghost employee is a fraudulent or non-existent worker on the payroll; fringe benefits are non-wage compensation like health insurance or paid leave; harassment is inappropriate or illegal conduct, not a method for collecting debt.