I've experienced wage theft of all sorts over the years.
And it's one thing when managers, coworkers, and other employees take tips that aren't for them.
But you ever have a customer reach into your tips? It enrages me. I've had so many customers just reach into my tip jar or dump it onto my counter while saying something like, “I'm sure you don't mind….” It's often people with money who don't want to break bills so they grab a few cents or a couple bucks to pay for their order. I can't explain the anger I feel when someone flicks their fingers through money that does not belong to them, right in front of the person they're stealing from. If a customer has no money or not enough change, I will help them in whatever way I reasonably can (right down to just giving them the product if possible). But to take tips is just so, so, so fucked up if you have money in your hand already.
Even worse might be when children see tip containers and shout their classic, gleeful, “OOO!! Money!!!” before sticking their hands in and grabbing some. While their parents chuckle. IT IS NOT CUTE. use that moment to teach your kid about the value of tipping. but don't laugh and let them run out of the business with stolen dollars shoved in their pocket.
This hasn't happened to me in several months, because my current job does not bring in many tips and our container is not easy to access.
But, man, this shit ever happen to anyone else?
Always got me especially angry when working fast food and jobs that paid at or below minimum wage. Stealing tips from the container could mean stealing someone's break meal straight from them.