Wed Nov 21, 2012, 09:28 AM

Waitressing wages. Are these bar and restaurant businesses getting away with slave labor? [View all]

One of my daughters roommates in the Boston area only made $400 last month. That didn't include tips, but it doesn't sound like she makes a lot there either, since some nights she came home with nothing. My daughter saw a week's pay stub, and the girl only made 8 dollars. I know this girl and she has a lot of personality and is very athletic so it's not a question of not working hard enough.

What laws allow a company to pay below minimum wage?

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59 replies	Author	Time	Post
Waitressing wages. Are these bar and restaurant businesses getting away with slave labor? [View all]	Baitball Blogger	Nov 2012	OP
I believe if you work in waitering they can pay you $2.25/hr b/c of tips.	JaneyVee	Nov 2012	#1
I'll relay the information.	Baitball Blogger	Nov 2012	#2
Here's a link:	JaneyVee	Nov 2012	#4
Couldn't agree more.	Democracyinkind	Nov 2012	#7
but usually	justabob	Nov 2012	#16
It's only on what you SHOULD have made in tops	obamanut2012	Nov 2012	#35
whatever the actual formula is, server not likely to win that battle	justabob	Nov 2012	#42
Food service has a lower minimum, because of tips.	jberryhill	Nov 2012	#3
not in any west coast states	CreekDog	Nov 2012	#5
This doesn't happen in European countries that I've traveled to.	CTyankee	Nov 2012	#6
It varies by country, even in Europe	jberryhill	Nov 2012	#15
I had a colleague who accidentally tipped a driver $50 while travelling abroad	SoCalDem	Nov 2012	#24
Thanks for writing this.	enlightenment	Nov 2012	#28
Western European countries just have higher standards of living (mostly, altho Sicily was a	CTyankee	Nov 2012	#44
I believe "trinkgeld" is actually the word for that rounded up tip	Matariki	Nov 2012	#52
After enough trinks, I'm out of geld	jberryhill	Nov 2012	#54
Maybe she needs to go somewhere else?	Baitball Blogger	Nov 2012	#9
Personally I think minimum wage should apply. They rely on tips.	HopeHoops	Nov 2012	#8
Unless the bad service is caused by the kitchen	JayhawkSD	Nov 2012	#10
Agreed, but I account for that. I've rarely encountered bad waitstaff, HOWEVER,...	HopeHoops	Nov 2012	#13
The other extreme can be just as bad	jberryhill	Nov 2012	#20
la vache qui rit.	HopeHoops	Nov 2012	#21
Fetchez la vache	jberryhill	Nov 2012	#32
"RUN AWAY!"	HopeHoops	Nov 2012	#46
I really hate when I'm asked if I'm "still working" on my meal	Matariki	Nov 2012	#55
15% automatically?	ParkieDem	Nov 2012	#25
You get taxed for a specific amount of tips	obamanut2012	Nov 2012	#37
The IRS would need to be the size of the old Red Army to check everyone who did this.	RagAss	Nov 2012	#39
The 15% thing is common practice, especially in pooled tip places.	HopeHoops	Nov 2012	#45
You must have waited tables before Ronald Reagan	Matariki	Nov 2012	#56
Ask any waitperson if they'd rather get tips or minimum wage	B2G	Nov 2012	#11
Depends on the place. I think minimum wage AND tips should be the standard.	HopeHoops	Nov 2012	#14
it is true	justabob	Nov 2012	#18
slaves don't get paid	datasuspect	Nov 2012	#12
I make $2.13 an hour as a server	HeeBGBz	Nov 2012	#17
there is currently a lawsuit about that	justabob	Nov 2012	#19
Applebee's may end up losing that case	rainbow4321	Nov 2012	#31
I just saw that post... good!	justabob	Nov 2012	#36
I don't think servers should have to do that	obamanut2012	Nov 2012	#40
There is all kinds of wrong there.	Baitball Blogger	Nov 2012	#23
Agreed	HeeBGBz	Nov 2012	#26
Yes, it should depend on what work you are doing! NT	Sadiedog	Nov 2012	#27
I have never thought of that	obamanut2012	Nov 2012	#38
ah, back in the day as bartender and waitress. $6.80 an hour and tips in reno. gamblin'	seabeyond	Nov 2012	#22
I had paychecks that were $20	ceile	Nov 2012	#29
My daughter worked as a server for a few months	rainbow4321	Nov 2012	#30
The establishment profits from the labor	Care Acutely	Nov 2012	#33
100% this	obamanut2012	Nov 2012	#41
seconded.	NuttyFluffers	Nov 2012	#43
Having worked as a bookkeeper in restaurants, it's not practical for restaurants to pay a high	Cleita	Nov 2012	#50
many things would cost more if wages haven't been artificially suppressed	NuttyFluffers	Nov 2012	#51
Instead the establishment pushes the bankruptcy to the laborer on slow days	Care Acutely	Nov 2012	#58
Okay, you don't see the whole picture. Getting stiffed on tips on busy shifts	Cleita	Nov 2012	#59
Federal Law -- and changed during Reagan's Admin	obamanut2012	Nov 2012	#34
The casino I worked at had cocktail waitresses	LadyHawkAZ	Nov 2012	#47
This is how they get away with paying less than minimum wage.	Cleita	Nov 2012	#48
Until the law is changed it's up to the rest of us	SomethingFishy	Nov 2012	#49
Many restaurants in my area already charge a gratuity for large parties.	Cleita	Nov 2012	#53
No. Slaves have to be cared for lest their owners lose their investment. n/t	Egalitarian Thug	Nov 2012	#57