EMPLOYERS STEALING TIPS FROM WORKERS: HOW A CALIFORNIA EMPLOYMENT LAWYER CAN HELP
There are many jobs that include tips into paychecks for employees. Among them are restaurants, carwashes, coffee shops, valets, deliverymen, bartenders and skycaps. Often, workers do not see their fair share of tips, often promised to make up their less than minimum wage hourly rates. In many recent cases, employers have been facing class action lawsuits when workers discover that they have not been receiving tips that were supposed to go to them.
Starbucks recently had to give $105 million to baristas who did not receive the appropriate share of the tips every day. American Airlines, was found by a Boston jury to have violated Massachusetts tipping laws by instituting a $2 fee for curbside check-in, devastating the tips paid to skycaps, and in turn lowering their wages. This is becoming more and more common among large corporations, but it is also faced every day in small restaurants, carwashes and bars.
It is very important that you keep accurate records. What did you make in tips each day? Because tips vary so much, it is very difficult to go back if you are not keeping records and show that your boss has not been giving you your fare share. However, if you are not meeting the minimum wage with your tips included, or you know that you are not receiving your earned or promised tips, your rights are protected under California and Federal law. Call the Law Offices of Greenberg & Rudman LLP at 1-800-252-9776 for a free consultation regarding your legal rights and how one of our experienced employment lawyers may be able to help you.
