(November 13, 2013 at 2:34 pm)downbeatplumb Wrote: I know that often the pay is shitty but that is not the customers fault and where do you draw the line? do you tip at Macdonalds if not why not?
No. It is not customary to tip in the US at such establishments. The counter staff at fast food places are paid either the federal minimum wage, or the state minimum wage, whichever is higher (always at least $7.25/hr).
Federal law allows tipped employees to be paid a different minimum wage (as little $2.13/hr). Most states allow tipped employees to be paid less than minimum wage, many allow the $2.13/hr wage. A handful require them to be paid an hourly wage at or higher than the wage for non-tipped employees.
I don't recall the details, but employees who are classified as tipped get taxed on a certain percentage of their gross sales whether they actually receive a tip or not, creating a situation where their entirely hourly wage can be deducted as taxes.
Yes, it's a fucked up system - but it isn't the employee's fault, and not tipping literally takes money out of their pockets.
