Is it permissible to deduct from a worker's salary because he was late for the scheduled work hours?

The questioner : All right, Honorable Shaykh, this is the last question. If you would be so kind, I have an employee who violated one of the conditions of his employment contract, meaning he failed in his work, so I delayed his salary for five days. Is that permissible as a penalty for me?

The Shaykh : There is nothing wrong with this, but you must make it clear to him that the delay is due to his negligence, so that nothing takes root in his heart.

The questioner : Yes, yes.

The Shaykh : This is from one angle, and he should improve his conduct in the future.

The questioner : Yes, all right. If I deduct from his salary, is that permissible, Honorable Shaykh?

The Shaykh : It is not permissible unless there is a condition.

The questioner : Yes, for example, my condition with him is that he works, for example, twelve hours, but he worked eleven hours.

The Shaykh : No, there must be a condition where you say, for example, if you fall short by a certain amount of time, it is deducted from you.

The questioner : All right, how should the deduction be calculated, Honorable Shaykh? Is it a quarter of the salary, or according to what I see as appropriate?

The Shaykh : This depends on the condition between you two. If there is no condition between you, then as for

The questioner : Meaning,

The Shaykh : If he falls short by one hour out of twelve hours, I divide it by the whole month. How many hours is that?

The questioner : Yes, and I calculate the salary and divide it by the number of hours in the month and explain it, meaning. May Allah reward you, if Allah wills.