Tipping in
New York City: Is it Now Something of the
Past?
Eliminating
tipping practices could influence many New
York servers
Many
servers across New York City rely on tips to
help support the meager income from working
in the food service industry. Some
restaurants, however, have recently decided
to eliminate tipping entirely. This change
is poised to affect the entire industry, but
in particular, those servers who rely on tip
money. The movement started with Union
Square Hospitality group deciding to
eliminate tipping from all of its
establishments. The company currently owns
and operates 13 restaurants throughout New
York City.
According
to Union Square Hospitality CEO, deciding to
eliminate tipping completely provides
opportunities for career advancement for
nearly 2000 workers employed by the
operation. The theory behind this decision
is that tipping regulations can create
serious pay discrepancies for workers at the
front of the house and those working in the
kitchen.
The
restaurant known as 'The Modern' inside The
Museum of Modern Art has also elected to
eliminate tips beginning in November. Other
restaurants owned by the same company will
phase out tipping in the year 2016. The
company operating these restaurants did
advise that prices might rise in some
establishments to help cover this change in
compensation. The CEO, though, argues that
diners will not feel the impact in a
significant way. It’s also important to note
that this establishment isn't the first one
to consider eliminating tipping.
In fact,
the momentum behind the movement to
eliminate tipping completely is gathering
some steam in New York City. Chef Tom
Colicchio was the first to eliminate tipping
at his lunch service and his flagship
restaurant, Craft in New York City. Since
the service was new to patrons, it wasn't
too difficult to introduce the concept of
eliminating tipping to patrons. Colicchio
argued that the move was necessary because
he felt tipping was a thing of the past. He
said staff come in and work very hard for
their wages and they should be compensated
fairly, and not have to leave too much of
their income up to chance.
Wait
staff, servers and hosts at restaurants may
have come to rely on tips, but this could
change if more restaurants pick up on this
trend. Some servers and wait staff believe
tipping is unfair to begin with, since it
puts too much power in the hands of
consumers who can choose to make decisions
that ultimately have a negative effect on
wait staff who are working hard. Leaders in
the industry supporting this change believe
working as wait staff at the front of the
house or in the kitchen requires knowledge
and skills crucial to the development and
growth of a business. Leaving staff pay up
to chance with tipping could drive away
employees who might otherwise excel at this
opportunity.
Have you
been denied
fair wages or been the victim of an
illegal employment practice? If so, contact
leading New York employment lawyers at
Hepworth Gershbaum & Roth PLLC at
212-545-1199 or
online for a free, confidential
consultation.
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