The current system for tipped workers in the US, where employers can pay a lower base wage and rely on tips to meet the minimum wage, is tough to enforce and often leads to wage theft. Workers are responsible for tracking their hours and tips, a complex task that can be challenging to manage accurately. They then face the daunting prospect of confronting their employer if they believe they are not being paid the minimum wage, a situation fraught with power imbalances. This difficulty in enforcement means the rule is frequently enough ignored, leaving workers, who already earn less than those in non-tipped roles, vulnerable to having their wages stolen.
Regarding the perception of tipping, manny consumers believe it’s solely a way to reward good service. Though, this is a critically important misunderstanding. In reality,tips constitute the majority of a server’s wages.When customers fail to tip,they are essentially withholding the server’s earned income. unlike some other countries, the US system doesn’t allow for flexible tipping based on service quality; not tipping directly impacts the server’s ability to earn their wage.
As a consumer, a standard tip of 20% is generally considered appropriate in the US, with the option to tip more for remarkable service.However, the practice of tipping has expanded beyond traditional service industries, leading to situations where tips are expected for transactions where service wasn’t necessarily rendered. This trend can be frustrating for consumers, especially with rising costs.The article suggests that frustration shoudl be directed towards employers and lobbying groups that have actively maintained this system for years,rather than towards the tipped workers themselves. The core issue, it argues, is that employers should be responsible for paying their workers a fair wage, rather than relying on customers to supplement their income.
