This year, many states in the United States are taking steps to ensure that those employed in the service industry are compensated fairly for their work. As tip-earning workers, servers, bartenders, and others are often underpaid compared to other workers, various states are introducing legislation that would ensure full minimum wage for those individuals. This would guarantee yet another way to protect worker’s rights and close the wage gap.
Already, the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, and Montana guarantee full minimum wage for tip earners, and this will likely increase in the coming year. There is currently a movement in seven states to introduce similar legislation- Ohio, Michigan, Arizona, California, Minnesota, Oregon and Washington. In some areas, sauces, bartenders, and other similar employees are making only $2.13 an hour in tips, which is drastically lower than the minimum wage in their respective states. These proposed pieces of legislation would address this discrepancy and ensure these workers receive higher pay, on top of their respective tips.
Making a living off of a tip wage can be difficult, and this proposed legislation ensures those who rely on these wages for their livelihoods will be able to receive fair pay for their work. Some employers have abused the system by mandating their tipped employees complete jobs not related to their job description, such as washing dishes or cleaning floors. This proposed legislation would protect those workers by guaranteeing that they earn minimum wage for their time, whether they receive tips or not. By doing so, employees can be secure in their wages and know that they will receive fair pay.
This proposed legislation will benefit all involved and should be taken seriously in each of the states considering adopting it. Those employed in the service industry will receive the wages that they deserve, without worrying about whether their tips are enough to cover their bills. Furthermore, employers can rest easy knowing that they are doing their part to protect and compensate their employees correctly. This piece of legislature is beneficial for all, and should be taken into consideration for those states considering implementing it.
