I am a server at a restaurant... and have a question.?

Question

I am working at a restaurant for about 1 month and half.
My salary was $5.50 and my tip was 20% at first.
Now my tip goes up to 70% and get 20$ or so by cash (it is tips), but my salary went down to $4.00.

My manager said I am still at trainning, so my salary is low.

I never worked anywhere that after i work , my salary goes down.

Is this normal sysytem for a restaurant for a server??

Please give me your comment about this..

Answer 1

Without knowing where you are located, I am going to use the laws here in the US....there are federal laws that protect employees....I know that the minimum wage amount is somewhat different from state to state....here in Las Vegas, Nevada it is $5.15 per hour.....The labor laws in each state is somewhat different too, like here, Nevada is NOT a right to work state, so you and the employer are free at any time to sever the working relationship without a dispute....there are some circumstances that would cause a good case to take to the labor board but you again have to check state laws.

I know that here in Nevada, your minimum wage is not reduced based on your tips increasing, nor is the minimum wage increased if your tips fall below the usual, so I would say that generally this employer you work for is violating some law in reference to the Fair Labor Practices.....check it out

Good luck to you.....try and find another job with an employer that will treat you with respect and appreciate your contribution to his/her business.....this guy sounds like he does NOT deserve a GOOD employee such as yourself!

Answer 2

That doesn't sound right at all. I was a server, and yes I only got a little bit of the tips at first but my salery was the same. In fact after I finished my training I got a raise not a demotion. I'd check it out if I was you, that manager sounds like he's screwing you over. I'm in Las vegas and the servers start (depending on the restaurant) at 5.50 an hour.

Answer 3

Depending on the state it is perfectly acceptable. They usually try to pay a minimum, like $2.13/hr just so they will not have to collect money from you for tax purposes. Your tips are taxable income so they are calculated into real wages, then taxes are deducted from that. Other jobs that consider tips as normal part of business can also have the same rules, like valet, bar tending, strippers, etc. Some states that don't have the below federal minimum wage standard include Washington, California and Nevada.

Answer 4

It does seem odd that your salary would go down instead of up. Why not ask the other employees if this is the same for them. I'd say the company pays for training,once trained, then you get the better part of your pay through tips, heck if the tips are good stick it out, good jobs are not easy to come by these days. Good Luck.

Answer 5

When I was 15 i was a waiter/bus boy at a mexican resturant, and they tried pulling that **** with me. but is was getting paid 6.75hr (C.A.) and they tried to take my tips away because i was supposably not a waiter. So I quit and took the owner of the business to the Better buiness buero and he said that the manager only hired me for a favor, because of my age, and the deputiy said that thats not a factor, it doesnt matter if your training, you should be getting paid the same amount as everyone else. Thats how we do it in CA but Im not sure about where you live...

Answer 6

Yes, it can be normal for this to happen. The minimum wage was to insure your employer followed the law. It went down b/c, in theory anyway, you should be making tips equaling or greater than minimum wage. When you were training you probably weren't getting your own tables. Now you are thus the change. But most employers explain this before hand. Peace.

Answer 7

Many servers have a higher wage during their training period because they are not expected to receive tips. It is common and legal for servers to be compensated under minimum wage guidelines specific to their profession which accounts for the amount of tips they may make. For instance, servers I work with are compensated $2.65 per hour, and the rest they make up in tips.

Answer 8

I know some states allow restaurants to lower the wage if a person gets tips along with their wages. I think it is unfair but know that is how it is sometimes. Ali

Answer 9

Your manager cheats you!
No such thing as decrease of salary!
My overall assessment to this problem is that:
Let him pass this time, keep the job though you are cheated, anyway that $1.50 you lose can be subsidize by your tips.

Answer 10

Restaurants are all about making money, basically they want you to work for free, and for the most part you do, they expect the customer to pay your wages directly, basically you’re only being used…