I work at a small family owned restaurant with a team of less than 10 people for the front of house, including our hosts. Hosts are responsible for seating, bussing etc, as well as taking to-go orders. Hosts keep all of their own tips from take outs as well as getting a tip out at the end of the night for helping servers on the floor. I am one of those servers
Tonight, the assistant store manager was acting as our host, as that is part of his job, and at the end of the night he collected tip outs from all three of the servers working. Not only was he making tips from all of our to-go orders but he also makes much more than any of our usual hosts do! I was upset to say the least.
I usually don't have a problem with tipping him out of the night if he's helpful and bussing my tables. On this particular night though, most of the bussing was done by me, most of the dishes done by me (we don't have a designated dish washer) and any problem he wasn't around to solve was fixed by me.
As I was walking out the door he asked for his money and I said “Oh right for all those tables you bussed”
And left him a dollar. I wasn't upset he asked for my money until my boyfriend brought up that my boss shouldn't be asking me for a tip out at all, and I kind of realized that he's right!
I'm more upset now about how I never questioned him taking part of my tips before, than I am what transpired tonight.
My store manager fills in for hosts as well when we're short staffed but has NEVER asked for money even when going above and beyond (which he does very often). Is it ok that he's taking a tip out for when he's filling in for a position where that's the expectation?
TL;DR
Manager asks for money because he was acting as a host, I gave him a dollar.