Q: Can a tip compensated employee, i.e. server, voluntarily contribute their tips to the employer?
A:
In Louisiana, tip-compensated employees, such as servers, generally have the legal right to keep their tips, as tips are considered the property of the employees who receive them. Employers are prohibited from taking or accepting tips that belong to their employees. However, tip pooling arrangements among employees are allowed, provided they comply with federal and state laws.
While tip pooling allows employees to voluntarily contribute a portion of their tips for redistribution among a group of employees, it's important to emphasize that employees cannot typically voluntarily contribute their tips to the employer. Tips are intended to be additional compensation for employees and should not be considered part of the employer's revenue.
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