You know how in any group project there’s that one guy or girl who can’t be bothered to contribute but is happy to show up to cash in the A that the rest of you earned? Well, that’s what happened in Bellingham recently, where two restaurants got caught making their workers share tips with managers. Let’s check out this no-no and what the law says about it!
Here are Five Fast Facts about managers collecting tips:
- 🍕 Sneaky Tip Sharing - Two restaurants in Washington State have been investigated for making servers and cashiers give part of their tips to managers—kind of like being forced to share your last slice of pizza with someone who didn’t even help make it.
- 🚫 The Law Says Nope - In Washington State, the law is clear: employers can’t take any part of your paycheck unless it’s for things like taxes or health stuff. Think of it as a rule against snatching your allowance.
- 💵 What’s Yours Is…Yours - When you earn tips, they belong to you, not the boss or the business. In tip pooling (when everyone’s tips go into one big pot), only the workers who actually earn tips can share from it—it’s off limits to managers unless they’ve done the work themselves.
- 🔍 Money Detective - If you suspect your boss is being a tip thief, you can file a complaint with the state. It’s basically calling in a detective to catch someone stealing your stuff, but with a government-official badge.
- 💰💰 Double Trouble For Thieves - And if it turns out your boss was sneaky on purpose, Washington State law might let you get back double what was stolen. Imagine if your snack got taken, and then you got two snacks back instead!
🔥Bottom line: In the end, this situation is a reminder that bosses need to play fair with your hard-earned cash. If you ever feel like your money is disappearing like a magic trick, remember that the law is there to help you get it back—even if it means getting double the reward!
Is your employer being shady with your tips?
Let us know by connecting with us on Facebook and Instagram! Also, remember to share this newsletter with your friends & coworkers!
BTW, If you’ve read this far and haven’t yet signed up for the weekly Paycheckology newsletter, CLICK HERE!
