So I'm pretty sure I understand how this legally works, but I want to ask to make sure.
I am a tipped employee (Mi) and work for a small business. State minimum wage is $10.10, I earn $11/h + tips. If there is a shortage they make us pay in (I've tried not to, and have been harassed for weeks by the owner for not complying until I just gave in because I didn't want to be fired). If the drawer is short more than what I make pay hour I don't believe they can legally make me pay it, because I'd be making less than state minimum wage, but I'm not positive about that.
To reiterate, if the drawer I worked out of was $20 short and I made about $13.35/h they couldn't legally make me pay them more than about $3.25 because it would be making less than minimum wage?
And if I wanted to call and ask about this, would I call the department of labor to verify?
I'm really sick of being hounded for money I don't have, and don't understand why they aren't just taking the L, recording who used the drawer and amount lost, and looking at the cameras to see if it's actively being stolen or something. Sometimes shit just happens, like bills sticking together, but part of the risk of owning a business is net loss for profits and this is one of those moments of risk. And I'm not the one who owns and operates the establishment.