Talking about payroll, one hears about docking and garnishment. What do these two terms mean, and what is the difference between them?

Garnishment Pay

A garnishment is a court order letting emoployer know that a legal claim has been made against an employee's wages. Example: child support payments to a divorced spouse

Docking Pay

Employers may make deductions from an employee's pay to recoup certain expenses, for overpayments and for various uniform costs. Example: spillage, breakage, or cash register shortages,etc.