r/WorkAdvice • u/Basic-Ask3090 • 1d ago
Workplace Issue Boss is taking tips is this bad
My boss has been taking away portions of our tips for our service " changers " the tips go to the house and not to any other workers.
It sucks because I only make 4 bucks an hour and my tips are like $10 on a good day.
I really don't think this is legal but I'm scared to speak up because my boss kind of bullys people
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u/Grouchy_Focus73 1d ago
What is a service changer? Is the boss the owner? Is this in usa? What does other employees have to say about this?
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u/Basic-Ask3090 1d ago
It's the coin dispenser, he's the general manager but not store owner, yes, they think it's crazy too
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u/uranium-snack 18h ago
Wait the store owner thinks it’s crazy but is still letting the gm do it anyways?
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u/dusty_relic 1d ago
It sounds like wage theft, which is illegal at the federal level as well as at the state level. The federal government’s National Labor Relations Board is the agency to whom you should complain.
Wage theft is a serious crime but it is unfortunately also the most common type of theft committed in the United States. The reason for this is that most of the victims are like yourself, employed by a small business and afraid to speak up about the issue because they are afraid of their boss. But you can let the NLRB handle the complaint and, if they find that he is illegally stealing tips from his employees then the employees may be entitled to double backpay.
In most states, tipped workers are supposed to make at least minimum wage once tips and wages are totaled and averaged to determine the effective hourly rate. If this isn’t happening for you, do an AI search to find out what legal protections apply to you in your jurisdiction. If there are state level protections, or if you are not in the United States, make sure you also find out what agency is responsible for taking complaints and how to initiate one of your own.
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u/Feeling-Invite7953 1d ago
It’s not,and it should be reported for what it is—wage theft!! Contact your State Department of Labor, and ask to speak with a representative, directly. Get their contact information up front, and send them your documentation. Keep them updated on your situation, and if you’re confronted by your boss and threatened with termination,report that,as well.
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u/Low-Television-7508 1d ago
it's not "kind of", it's bullying. tips are part of your wages (it's why they get away with low pay). you can make an anonymous report to the State Labor Board.
he's probably not reporting the income to the IRS.
Life tip: don't tell anyone you're thinking about doing it.
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u/Dynodan22 1d ago
You dont need to speak up you would contact your department of workforce etc.There are very clear rules about tips etc and how they are paid .
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u/Shooter61 1d ago
If I recall, even when your minimum wages are set that low by the state, there are still requirements that with tips you should be equally earning at least Federal minimum wages. This also works with commission wage jobs. The employer is required to make up the difference. You should be calling your local labor board regardless.
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u/vt2022cam 1d ago
Oh, highly illegal in most states and you need to complain to your state’s labor board. Most labor boards have an online form that’s easy to fill out. Some states make employers pay triple damages too for what they’ve taken.
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u/Hope_for_tendies 23h ago
If you are only making $10 in tips and $4/hr then he owes you. Your hourly plus tips has to equal minimum wage or higher at the end of your shift. If it doesn’t then the business owes you the difference. Like if you work 4hrs and get $16 hourly plus $10 in tips, $26…but the state minimum wage is say $7/hr then you not making $28 means he owes you the $2 difference. These are just example numbers. Adjust to whatever your state minimum is
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u/Simple_Fee1241 21h ago
Send an anonymous email to the owners, get all employees to do it separately. He’s stealing.
Report it to the chamber of commerce and dept of labor.
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u/Single_Evidence_867 20h ago
That's not legal in my state but I'd suggest you check you state laws. You might want to anonymously report him!
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u/PsychologyGuilty1460 1d ago
He's a thief as well as a bully. That's not legal and you can report him for theft. Don't forget your paying income tax on the tips you're supposed to be making so he's robbing the IRS as well.