We Should Start Tipping America's Super-Broke Fast Food Workers

[MrScorpio]

Basically no one is tipping America’s fast-food workers. But after looking at a new survey of tipping practices by salary information site PayScale, maybe you’ll agree we should be.

Of the 51 types of workers surveyed by PayScale, no group received fewer tips per hour than fast-food workers. That’s both in terms of median hourly tips (40 cents) and the percentage of income that comes from tips (4.8 percent). And if you think non-tip pay compensates for that, you’re wrong. At $8.30 per hour, fast-food workers also lay claim to the lowest typical total income -- that’s the combined total of tips and base pay -- of any group surveyed.

That means fast-food workers earn less per hour than a wide-ranging group of tipped workers, including strippers, waiters, bartenders, pizza-delivery drivers, restaurants hosts, baristas, tour guides, movers, housekeepers and even dog groomers. (For the full list of jobs surveyed by PayScale, you can click over to the report.)

Unlike some of those professions, fast food typically pays a minimum wage, which theoretically should make up for the tips workers don't receive. But the minimum wage has not been raised in four years and arguably should be three times more than the current national minimum of $7.25.

More and more, these fast-food workers aren’t simply teenagers looking to make a couple of bucks on the side, either. These people need the money. More than half of all fast-food workers are full-fledged adults, aged 21 or older, and more than a quarter are parents, according to the Center for Economic and Policy Research. Yet the typical fast-food worker made only $18,130 in 2010, according to Labor Department data.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/05/fast-food-tips_n_4385813.html

Tipping fast food workers sounds like a great way put one's money where one's mouth is. At sit down places, I routinely tip 20% because it's easier for me to figure out that way. I think that fast food workers deserve some consideration too.

[Sherman A1]

1. Interesting

While perhaps not the best idea, as I suspect their company policies prohibit tipping, it is indeed a thought. I would think we might be better off emailing our Federal and State Representatives and insist upon an increase in the minimum wage for all (including tipped workers).

[MrScorpio]

2. I was think thinking the same thing about company policies

There's no harm in asking and if not prohibited, no harm in slipping the cashier three-four bucks on the side.


Fuck it, give them the tip anyway.

[kcr]

3. It might get them in trouble, though.

I think it's a good idea as long as there isn't a policy against it.

[MrScorpio]

4. Have I ever told you how much I hate American corporatism?

There real is nothing about this country that's free at all.

And you're absolutely correct It's just that I would be pissed off about it though.

[kcr]

5. I'm with you

I would be, too.

[True Earthling]

6. Chipotle allows tips

There's a tip jar at the cash register... I usually tip a dollar + whatever change.

[el_bryanto]

7. I have mixed feelings about this

On the one hand the people who actually receive the tips and are allowed to take them will appreciate them.

On the other hand it's not much of a solution is it? First of all it only really applies to people in service industries, but there are plenty of low income folks doing other types of jobs. And frankly most fast food workers won't actually get tipped.

The money might be better spent donated to free clinics around town or other places that make their lives easier? Or supporting the creation of a vibrant union movement.

Bryant

[HughBeaumont]

8. They cans get a real job! Supersize yer skillset haw haw!

Those jawbs weren ment to supprot familes! This aint gon do nuthin but hutr small bisness ownurrs! I now what um talking aboot, ima a small bizness owner and id have to raze my labro costs 20 percnert if minimim wage was razed that high! Minimum wage should be lowered or eliminaetd, uer worth what uer worth, fuckz. Freakin monrgel berger fleepers dont derseve a high wage like 10-12 an our! U put this in an ther all gonner be repalced by robtos and tuch screenes! law uf untinended consekwences, lern it now ut livit.

There, I just saved you all precious time on FB, Yahoo, Discussionist, WSJ, etc, etc. on this topic. I have zero use for cretins promoting winner-take-everything Feudalism.

[ladjf]

9. Why should the public have to pay for what the greedy corporations refuse to pay?

The tips would let big business off the hook.