No, tipping in the United States is not mandatory. In other words, not tipping is not illegal. But keep this in mind: most servers in the United States are paid $2.13 per hour — more than $5 per hour less than other workers.
California, Montana, Nevada, Minnesota, Oregon, Alaska, and Washington have outlawed tip credits. This means that servers are paid the state minimum wage in addition to their tips. Some restaurants, especially in these states, have adopted a “no tip” policy altogether.
Under California law, employees have the right to keep any tips that they earn. Employers may not withhold or take a portion of tips, offset tips against regular wages, or force workers to share tips with owners, managers or supervisors. Tips are also separate from wages.
Under federal law, employers can require employees to participate in a tip pool or otherwise share their tips with other employees. However, federal law prohibits employers from keeping any portion of the tips or from including supervisors or managers in the tip pool.
California, Montana, Nevada, Minnesota, Oregon, Alaska, and Washington have outlawed tip credits. This means that servers are paid the state minimum wage in addition to their tips. The “no tip” system (or “mandatory service fee” system) keeps wages fair across the restaurant.
Federal law still prohibits restaurant owners, managers, or any other supervisor-level staff to take tips from employees. This means you, as a restaurant owner or manager, can't take tips from the tip pool.
Furthermore it is illegal for employers to make wage deductions from gratuities, or from using gratuities as direct or indirect credits against an employee's wages. The law further states that gratuities are the sole property of the employee or employees to whom they are given.
employeesThe basic rule of tips is that they belong to employees, not the employer. Employees can't be required to give their tips to the company or to share tips with managers or supervisors. However, employers typically can pay tipped employees less than minimum wage and require employees to share their tips with coworkers.
Generally, it is illegal for a manager to take a worker's tips as they belong to the employee. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) controls rules for tipped employees like bartenders, restaurant servers and valets and anybody else who receives tips from satisfied customers.
Re: Buying Empire state tickets in advance-is it worth it? Absolutely buy tickets ahead! You still have to line up for the elevator but you avoid the ticket buying line. Your other option is to forget the ESB and go instead to Top of the Rock which is a nicer experience.
1. Can I buy tickets when I arrive at the Empire State Building? Currently, reservations are required for admission. Tickets must be purchased in advance via our website.
within 15 working daysA written Notice of Intent to Contest must be filed with the OSHA area director within 15 working days after the employer receives the citation. The filing of an employee contest does not suspend the employer's obligation to abate. Employees also have the right to object to a PMA.