this post was submitted on 10 Nov 2023
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This is a really bad take. If you think their business model doesn't support its workers, don't engage with the company. To choose to do so anyway in a country where tipping is the standard and choose not to tip, you are exploiting workers. The employer may be exploiting them as well, but taking part in that system and deciding to skip out on the part that makes the job a living wage is actively malicious.
I drive a taxi. If people don't tip, I shrug it off, but they're basically asking me to subsidize their ride. I do not make enough to live without tips. I'm not going to charge myself extra by getting upset about it, but it does impact me financially. And often people who don't tip are folks who are much better off monetarily than I am.
I disagree.
You should not look at the customer to make up extra payment so your wage becomes bearable. This way you are pointing in the wrong direction for a fair pay.
The customer is not the one responsible for you making enough money. Your employer is.
Employers are also the only people gaining anything from tipping. The laws in the US actually allow employers to pay less than minimum wage if the worker receives tips: https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/wages/wagestips Since tipping is not predictable the employer wins by having to pay the worker less. The worker loses.
Also you as the worker are responsible to track and pay taxes on the tips you received, not your employer: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/tip-recordkeeping-and-reporting
I understand it sounds scary when I say "Stop tipping" because it sounds like less money to you, but don't look at me, the customer, for this. Look at the employer. Stop tipping.
Edit: I agree with your take to stop engaging with companies that rely on tipping to change this, though. I think that was not clear from my comment.
If you think that workers aren't being paid an equitable wage and you continue to spend money on something that isn't essential, you're complicit. The employer may be putting the idea of underpaying their workers on the table, but you're the one allowing him to continue to operate. He doesn't exist in a vacuum.
The entitlement here comes both from the greedy employer and from the greedy consumer. Greed is wrong regardless of what side of the counter you stand on. No ethical consumption under capitalism, sure, but that doesn't mean you have to participate in stiffing someone.
Totally agree with this.
You've brought up very good points. As long as consumers support this it will stay the same.