Do you feel waitresses should be responcible for paying check if someone walks out?

Question

I waitress at a resturaunt that we are also responcible for the carrying our own bank and cashing people out. If someone walks out and doesn't pay their check, the owner makes us pay the tab.

Answer 1

I don't think that's right at all. I would even go so far as to call a local attorney and simply ask if this is a legal practice in your state.

Answer 2

I don't feel that you should be responsible... however let's look at the reason's behind it and from a strickly business view.

Since you are responsible for 'carrying your own bank' then the burden of proof rests upon you. If someone walks out on the check, then your 'bank' will be short the amount of their check. If you were say that a customer walked out when in fact they made a cash payment in an attempt to keep the money it would appear exactly the same to the restraunt. Thus the need from a business perspective to make someone responsible for collecting and reporting the income. By putting the burden of proof and financial responsiblity upon those who collect the funds the business eliminates the possiblity that they will steal a payment for services.

From the human aspect of it, I can certainly understand the aggravation you feel when someone walks out on payment. You have no control and no recourse of getting your payment unless you follow them out to the parking lot, record their license plate and then report it to the police. Even with that, the chances of you getting your payment is very small. However, from the human aspect as well, how many people would see the loop hole in this type of business process if they were not held responsible and would then take advantage and keep a few payments?

I am not taking sides for the business for the human aspect, just pointing out the reasonings. I will point out is that it's the process that needs to be fixed. The business process of handling payments and responsiblity for payments not received needs to be modified to move the responsibility to the floor manager instead of the waiters/waitress. However, this probably isn't going to happen and any one who doesn't want to work with the current process can work somewhere else.

That's what I suggest you do... make your concerns known in a professional manner then continue working there while you look for employment elsewhere. Once you find another job, then resign from that one and restate your concerns as the reason for your resignations. Waiter/Waitress jobs are a dime a dozen so don't feel you are stuck where you are.

Good luck and I hope this helps!

Answer 3

So what is the owner's responsibility? Does he just sit back and reap the rewards that every one of his other employees has worked hard, and paid, for? SOME things have to be the purview of the manager (or the boss). Making sure that no one walks out without paying should fall under this. Maybe he should start a policy that all checks need to be paid on the way out the door, to make sure that this stops happening. (It's obviously happened more than once, by the way you worded your question.)

Answer 4

Explain to your employer that you are aware they have the ability to claim losses on their taxes so in essence...they are stealing that money from you. Waitresses are not security officers and cannot police the people they wait on. If that is what they want you to do...they can pay you for the minimum amount of that salary in addition to your waitressing tips and wages.Their policy is unjust and has no firm foundation to stand on. Don't let your employer think they can get away with this and insult your intelligence!

Answer 5

Is it a trend with one waitress? or has it only happened once? I think if the waitress is an employee the owner wants to keep he might bend the rules. He has to have a way to control the customers. If not, what is to keep the waitress from saying no one paid her and keep all of the money herself?

Answer 6

Sorry....every restaurant has their own rules. And in most cases it's the waitresses' responsibility to see that someone pays for their bill. If someone walks out without paying up...someones not paying attention. It might not be totally your fault but that's how owners will see it.
Like I said... it doesn't seem fair but diff restaurants have diff rules...some take on the responsibility themselves, others say it's the waitress/waiter's responsibility
Good luck

Answer 7

Absolutely NOT. People leave gas stations without paying for gas, people are thieves that do that on a regular basis and why should we pay for there crimes just because we happen to be the one working at the time. That is a bunch of s h i t in my opinion.

Answer 8

No.The waiters and waitresses get blamed for too much. Is this in your job contract ? I'd definitely look for another job....or ask your bosses to post notices stating that their staff are responsible for un-paid bills and the money comes out of your wages. I would'nt let them get away with this one.For all you know,your bosses could be telling their friends to call in for a free meal,then do a runner,knowing you will be paying full price for the meal.

Answer 9

It isn't right, but its policy just about everywhere. That's why you really have to keep an eye on your customers when you see them begin to walk away. If you don't see them stop at the register, quickly tell the manager so they can call the cops.
This way you get off the hook, and they can catch the jerks.

Answer 10

Absolutely not..I would contact your State's Labor Board or an Atty that specializes in Employment Law.