OK kids, so the next segment of my labor and wage concerns series is in regard to the treatment of tipped employees in this country, though I'll likely still to PA laws....maybe.
The bulk of my research will be regarding the food and beverage industry. Let's face it, as college students, this issue relates to all of us. You have either worked in the industry, been a patron or both. Fast food is a bit different. These folks get a better hourly wage because they don't earn gratuities. I have never worked in fast food, though I feel those guys deserve as much respect as any of us - usually. However, the sector of employees with which I am most concerned are the tipped employees.
For those of you who don't know, I work as a server at St. James Gate, Irish Pub and Carvery in the Sands Casino Bethlehem. The minimum hourly wage in Pennsylvania is $2.83 for a tipped employee. I recently contacted the United States Dept. of Labor, Wage and Hour Division (Wilkes Barre office). I spoke with a woman there who informed that as long as the combination of my hourly 2.83 and the average of the tips I earn in a night are $7.25+ per hour, then my employer is within compliance to the federal law. Let's just say, I couldn't live if I was only making $7.25/hr... but thankfully, I make decent money from my dinner shifts - usually. So I guess I'll say, what the casino pays me is sufficient and compliant by federal law and so I won't aim to fight that one too much. (However, what the casino/state taxes me is quite another matter.)
The next part of my rant is not concerning what the casino pays me, but rather, what you grant me as a tip... Did you know that 20% is pretty much the standard tip for good service in a restaurant or bar? Some might say 15 or 18; I find those tips acceptable. Ten percent is not acceptable! At the casino in particular, we have to acquire RAMP certification (Responsible Alcohol Management Program) and either a gaming or non-gaming license from the state; these things cost us money. I wouldn't expect everyone to know that. Here's another fun fact, when the restaurant is busy, we don't get a break. Not to sit, not to eat, not to smoke, not to pee! When all my other servers have full sections, there is no way they can possibly watch my section while I run to the cafeteria... But wait! There's more! I can eat in my restaurant... if I pack something and if I have time, IF. Or I can order something, if the kitchen isn't too busy...but I have to buy my meal, at full price. Not one dime is discounted. So, I serve. Sometimes I bring a yogurt. Sometimes I get a minute to run to the ladies room. Sometimes I can step out in the hall to return a call to my daughter. Most times, I can't.
Did you know that I make sure your table and chairs and floor are clean? That I make sure your silverware in clean and wrapped securely in a clean, black linen? Did you know I make sure there are no lipstick marks on your wine glass? That your gravy or salad dressing is on the side? Did you know I pressed this individual carafe of coffee just now at your table, just so that it would be hot and fresh? I could go on, but I digress. Honestly, it's not that I mind doing these things. In fact, for the most part, I quite enjoy what I do. It was my decision to become a server eight years ago. I've been at the casino I will accommodate you as well as I would were you a guest in my home. And I'd expect the same. A clean glass, a fairly clean floor around my table. If you'd like ice in your merlot, I have no problem with that. I make sure I have clean hands, I pop a few cubes out of the tray and into your glass. Relax. And did I say I digress before... now I digress :-) Can someone tell me of some ethical ways of making the public aware of what their tips should be? I actually had a woman tell me one night she was afraid to complain or send food back... like Waiting... Can you imagine if that really happened? It doesn't. At least not in my restaurant.
This is what I have for now. I am currently trying to figure out how to get a better hourly wage for flex time. This is a personal issue with the casino. I'll keep you posted...
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