Q: Is there a law aginst employers takeing all of there employees tips be cause someone stole from them?
My names Kristina I work at a tropical smoothie in fort Pierce FL some one thought it was smart to steal 200$ from the cash register at my job an since my boss dosnt know who he started takeing every ones tips to pay off the two hundred dollars even though half of the employees had nuthing to do with it I'm one of the employees that had nuthing to do with it and I belive it's unfair to us that he does that he has said who ever dosnt take part in giving him all our tips will be fired or have our pay doct. They also dont give employees breaks but still take the money from the brakes even though we dont get any could you please help
A:
If you work, you should be paid. It is a violation of the law to force employees to work off the clock (which is what your boss is doing if you do not take breaks but they automatically deduct the time). This is also an illegal deduction. As to tips, if you are part of a tip pool, meaning that your employer is paying you less than the minimum wage, for example like waiters and waitresses, this may also be a violation of the law. If it is a service charge and not a tip, the answer would be different.
I highly suggest you keep track of the hours you work and have an employment law attorney review your pay stubs. I would also review and keep a copy of your handbook.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
