New York servers take $600 in tips, manager demands they give 20% to the kitchen staff: 'I get paid $7 an hour'

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Ally Perry • Writer and Editor
May 19, 2026 7:45 PM EDT

The money you earn is only money to be shared if you make that choice.

In any job, but especially in hospitality, the cash you earn with honesty should be yours to keep. If you are working as part of the team, it is only fair that you share the profits, but anyone who wasn't side by side with you on shift likely isn't entitled to whatever amount you managed to earn on the floor.

This should not be a controversial statement, but there are some establishments where it turns out to be. Some restaurants seem to have a policy where just because the money gets earned under their roof, it is fair game for whoever to take however much of it that they want. Seeing as servers are almost always underpaid, it doesn't seem like this should be something that should happen (and in many cases, it goes against the law as well).

Not only is it frustrating for a server to be told that they need to share their tips, but it can also jeopardize their livelihood. It is important for them to speak up and make sure that they get the money that they deserve.

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  • A waitress places something down on a table, with the bar behind her
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

    A waitress places something down on a table, with the bar behind her

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

  • A server working in a New York restaurant pulled in nearly $600 in tips with their colleague, which they felt was a good amount of money for a 10-hour shift. They had had to play multiple roles because they were understaffed. 

    However, their manager began to demand that this cash be shared with the kitchen staff because they had also been busy. The servers didn't think this was fair, as the kitchen was paid at least minimum wage, while they were paid well below. This was not the first instance where the boss had told them to share tips, either.

     

     

  • My boss wants me to give a percentage of my tips to the kitchen

    ive been working as a server at this place for about a year and today was the busiest day for us. for reference this is a small restaurant where a good day is 2,000 in total and today was well over 4000. not only am i a server, i also clean all the tables, seat people, make drinks, make certain food items, restock
    via riviriri
  • materials, answer phone calls, and pack to go orders. i worked a 10 hour shift where i left 30 minutes after the shift because people stayed late.
    via riviriri
  • the kitchen staff has always left on time and today wasn't an exception. there are only 2 servers in the entire restaurant and we do basically everything but cooking and washing dishes and it was a very tiring day with no breaks for lunch or anything. we
    via riviriri
  • made almost 600 in tips today which is a lot for us, so split between me and the other server we would've made 300 each. my boss however, after the shift ends, asks us to give a percentage of our tips (he said 15 or maybe 20%) to
    via riviriri
  • the kitchen because he said they were busy today. i get paid 7 dollars an hour in a place where minimum wage is 16 dollars. the kitchen staff get paid at least minimum wage.
    via riviriri
  • he even asked me what percentage i think i should give to the kitchen (i've never been asked to split tips with the kitchen before) and i told him to give whatever he wants. i obviously couldn't tell him no because he's my boss but it's so frustrating. there was also one
    via riviriri
  • particular day in the past where he had taken 50% of my tips because he said he helped because i was alone and it was really busy. his idea of "helping" by the way was moving the food from one corner in the kitchen to the other corner while ordering me to do this and do that while i'm already swamped.
    via riviriri
  • i'm sorry this turned out to be more of a rant bc i'm just so tired and upset
    via riviriri
  • edit: i live in ny and also this weekend is an exception to how busy it is because we are right next to a college and today is graduation weekend. please understand that most days, me and my coworker are making way below minimum wage. this weekend in general is an exception.
    via riviriri
  • A waitress stands behind the bar looking at a tablet, while a colleague works behind her
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

    A waitress stands behind the bar looking at a tablet, while a colleague works behind her

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

  • LoudmouthFrank Tell him to pay the kitchen himself.
    via LoudmouthFrank
  • Biteme75 If you live in the US, the boss cannot keep any portion of your tips for himself even if he 'helps'. Since the kitchen staff is already gone for the day, I suspect this is more tip money that your boss intends to steal for himself.
    via Biteme75
  • DM504HK That's not a two weeks situation that's a not showing back up the next day and pounding pavement for a new job situation.
    via DM504HK
  • They're going to keep you more and more frequently until you quit. Your manager taking your tips is illegal, and the ad hoc 20% tip outs to kitchen are a huge red flag (are they actually getting it is a valid question, let alone it being a questionable practice).
    via DM504HK
  • Outspoken_Idiot If you are busy today it means the establishment made more profit and therefore can pay it's staff a hard work bonus. By dipping in to the tips he has maximized his own takings for the night in question.
    via Outspoken_idiot
  • tbones80 "I couldn't tell him no because he's my boss" Stop that way of thinking.
    via tbones80
  • Amonette2012 1. get new job 2) ghost old job.
    via Amonette2012
  • Famous-Upstairs998 He's stealing from you. Time for a new job, tomorrow.
    via Famous-Upstairs998

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Tags

tips server restaurant kitchen bad bosses money service industry
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