Aqua Care USA  Fined My Step Daughter $100 for being late for work. Internet

My step daughter went to work for Aqua Care USA.  She was 5 minutes late to work two days in a row due to doctors appointments with doctors notes.  She was notified on the second occurrence that she would be fined $50 per occurrence from her paycheck.  After questioning a manager about this she was notified that.  "It was in the handbook" Apparently in fine print as she had no knowledge of this prior to this.

After a few days of becoming more and more angry at the thought of this she decided to quit and seek other employment.  Not because she doesn't think she should have to come to work on time, but because she doesn't feel they should be able to fine her monetarily.  Especially when we are talking about 5 minutes and legitimate doctors appointments with notes.

I personally do not know employment law, but handbook or not, I do not believe it is legal to fine an employee monetarily for being late to work.  Terminate, don't pay for time not there, reprimand, write up, put on probation, express concern, I can think of many other acceptable means of handling this situation, but not fining the employee.

On top of all of this, the company targets elderly people and she was not comfortable with their high pressure telemarketing tactics.  I have since done much of my own research and found a good deal of negativity regarding Aqua Care USA, ranging from sales tactics, quality of workmanship, code violations, etc.

Thank you Ripoff Report for giving me a forum to get my thoughts and opinions out there.