New barista discovers boss keeps credit card tips to himself, only gives employees cash tips, new hire confronts him: ‘I really needed the money’

• 
  via Brooke Cagle

  Barista making coffee.

  ^{Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.}

• My boss keeps credit card tips, says it goes to the business…

  Hi, I work in a small coffee shop in Michigan and was hired with a base pay of 15 an hour. I was told in the interview that would be the hourly wage before tips. The owner did not specify that I would simply make only cash tips. after some checks, I realized that I was only being paid hourly and not having any credit card tips added so I asked a coworker and he said that we don’t get card tips and that we only take home cash tips (at most I go home with $2 in cash tips, the majority of tips are through card).

• My coworker had told me that when he asked our boss about it our boss became upset, told him he was struggling financially and kept the card tips to put into the business, he then took hours away from him.

• 
  via Robert Bye

  A coffee shop.

  ^{Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.}

• My coworker suggested that I also don’t make a scene of it, in fear that I also suffer the same consequences. The owner zelles us 15 an hour without taxes taken out, and I feel saddened by the whole thing. I would leave immediately as I find this scummy, but I’m desperately trying to save money and pay off a debt and I feel a bit stuck. am I in the wrong for feeling this way?

• Not only is this really disappointing, but some might also claim that the boss's actions are actually illegal. Those tips, regardless of whether they were paid with a credit card or with cash, belong to the employees. The boss has no right to put them into the business, no matter the excuse.

  The question is, can this new hire do something about it, or should they take the coworker's advice and drop it?

• 
  via Sam Dan Truong

  A tips jar.

  ^{Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.}

• EDIT: I confronted my boss today about the tip with hold and he definitely came in hot and began arguing with me. I had told him that I have everything documented and he encouraged me to file a lawsuit or report him as he has his own lawyers. I believe this is just a fear tactic, and I am saddened as I really needed the money, but it felt really scummy to know how much money I was losing out on every day.

   

  - Many_Minute6274

• 
  via Bhuwan Bansal

  Male barista behind the counter.

  ^{Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.}

• Most people know what it feels like to be desperate for even a few dollars, and when you really need money, nothing should stop you from getting what is rightfully yours.

  It is better that this employee spoke up than let it slide, because the worst that could happen is that they would lose this low-paying job, which isn't worth keeping without the tips anyway.

  Should this new hire continue the fight? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below…

• Comments:

  That’s illegal on the federal level if I remember correctly / HarleyDFLSTC

   

  I'm actually currently in the process of suing a previous boss for doing the same thing. Stole over $20k worth of tips by the time I left. 100% illegal. / My_Own_Worst_Friend

   

  SO let every customer know that.. / EffectiveSwimming492

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