UPDATE: thank you for all of the responses! I did the math and I think I’m owed closer to $2000 in tips back. I’m going to call the DOL in the morning and get some more info before I even agree to meet with my previous employer. I’ll update from there. Thanks for looking out!
UPDATE 2: the owner is pressuring me to esign this document so she can do her taxes. Tuesday morning I’ll be talking with the DOL investigator to get more information. Depending on how that does I’m probably also going to talk to an attorney. I feel like since a lot of the people who she needs to pay are young or not in a situation to turn down money that she waited for a situation where she thinks I wouldn’t take my time and think about it. It feels nice standing up for myself. Thank you all for your support!
In December 2023, I started a new job at a café/bakery in my hometown after eight years as a barista/manager. We were open 6am-3pm Wed-Fri and 8am-4pm on weekends. From the start, the tip pooling was sketchy—I’d work 20-25 hours a week and get only $5 in credit tips (compared to $600 every two weeks at my previous high-volume job). I expected less, but $5? That didn’t sit right, so I dug into it.
Turns out, the owner was scheduling herself 120 hours a week (we were only open 43 hours) and pulling tips for all those hours. I approached her, played dumb, and asked about it. She claimed she deserved tips because she worked behind the scenes, making pastries, etc. I gently explained that owners can’t legally take tips and even sent her some info. She didn’t respond. More staff got upset, and since I’m the momma barista, I couldn’t let it slide. I got the chef involved, warned her again, but things got worse. She even tipped out her mom for cleaning her house.
I decided to leave in April 2024—not quietly. My resignation letter explicitly stated I was leaving because of her ongoing wage theft. I also reported her to the Department of Labor later, not for me, but for the staff who couldn’t afford to leave.
Fast forward to today: the owner messaged me, asking me to come in because she had money for me and needed me to sign something. I couldn’t go today, but I’ll stop by Monday. Through the barista grapevine, I learned I’m getting $700 in stolen tips back.
I’m so proud of myself for standing up for what’s right. Now, I just need to figure out how to show up Monday. Do I dress cute? Emo? Casual? Bring friends? I want to stay professional but make it clear—without saying a word—that if she’d listened to me, none of this would’ve happened. She’s paying fairly now, and I wish her shop the best, but I’m not about to let her forget why.
Also if you have questions and thoughts please send them my way!
by RevolutionaryBelt975