I work(ed) at a newly opened bar with a small staff. All the staff do the same work, and there are no designated support staff so we operate with a tip pool. But, the director/manager was still deducting a tip out – that went directly to him. I tried to give the benefit of the doubt that it was a new place and he didn’t know the labour laws do not permit employers to take a cut of tips and respectfully communicated my concerns.
Of course, that information was not well received and he felt he was entitled to take tips as compensation for his work – apparently his 6 figure salary in comparison to our minimum wage was not sufficient. Similar to many bars/restaurants right now, the place is super understaffed and he has had no luck hiring for the past few weeks.
When I said I would quit if the tip out wasn’t removed, he called me “abrasive and disrespectful,” and said that his cut of tips was “non-negotiable.”
I wasn’t looking to negotiate either, and will not be going in for my shifts this weekend (and beyond) so he can have the distinct honour of actually working for those tips he has been taking.
I sent a message to all my coworkers to let them know exactly why I quit, and a formal complaint has been submitted to the labour board on the off chance that might do some good.
Tipping culture sucks but managers stealing tips from workers making minimum wage suck way more.
TL;DR: The North American restaurant industry is truly a hellscape of skeevy managers and deplorable labour practices.