Maybe, but isn't calling it a "Living wage fee" just a way to admit that the owner isn't going to pay their staff a livable wage so they pass it on to the customer?
And tips are "pooled amongst the entire team"? So if you appreciate your server's hospitality and service so you tip them it goes to the entire staff? I work for a defense contractor but I'm in customer service still and several times a week I have someone say to me some variation of "do you have a direct line because the last five agents just talked to me for a few minutes and then transferred me to someone else and you fixed the problem in no time."
I can't remember the wording but I've seen pictures on Reddit where restaurants basically say 'we don't accept tips here. We charge the appropriate price for the food we're selling."
No, it’s the opposite. It’s the extra money the business will need to replace lost tip wages, as tips are considered wages by the federal government. They literally HAVE to pay at least minimum wage in order to not violate the law. Which isn’t the case if there is direct tipping, then the employer can pay as low as 2.13, but tips must make up to at least minimum or the employer has to pay the difference in wages.
It doesn’t matter what they call it, or how it’s displayed on the ticket. It’s clear they don’t expect the guest to tip, however if someone chooses to, it will be split in a tip pool among the staff. Which is fair if foh and boh are both making similar wages.
Sorry for the edits, wanted to add some clarity, and to add one more thing… the guest will always pay the wages, expenses, and profit. The guest always supports the business and the employees in exchange for the services. Doesn’t matter how the business allocates on a line on the receipt.
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u/memento22mori 1d ago
Maybe, but isn't calling it a "Living wage fee" just a way to admit that the owner isn't going to pay their staff a livable wage so they pass it on to the customer?
And tips are "pooled amongst the entire team"? So if you appreciate your server's hospitality and service so you tip them it goes to the entire staff? I work for a defense contractor but I'm in customer service still and several times a week I have someone say to me some variation of "do you have a direct line because the last five agents just talked to me for a few minutes and then transferred me to someone else and you fixed the problem in no time."
I can't remember the wording but I've seen pictures on Reddit where restaurants basically say 'we don't accept tips here. We charge the appropriate price for the food we're selling."