Mel Nichols, a 37-year-old bartender in Phoenix, Arizona, takes home anywhere from $30 to $50 an hour with tips included. But the uncertainty of how much she’s going to make on a daily basis is a constant source of stress.

“For every good day, there’s three bad days,” said Nichols, who has been in the service industry since she was a teenager. “You have no security when it comes to knowing how much you’re going to make.”

The amount tipped workers make varies by state. Fourteen states pay the federal minimum, or just above $2 an hour for tipped workers and $7 an hour for non-tipped workers.

  • ctkatz@lemmy.ml
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    15 hours ago

    the correct answer is there should be no tips and those workers should be paid the same amount as every other worker.

    • r0ertel@lemmy.world
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      6 hours ago

      I’ve read on other social platforms from wait staff that they would prefer tips to a living wage because they can make so much more with tips than without.

      I’ve cut my dining out significantly recently because with the recent hike in restaurant prices, plus the minimum 20% tax tip, dining out is unaffordable.

      Also, during covid I became an incredible cook.

      • john89@lemmy.ca
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        2 hours ago

        If they make more with tips, then they don’t get to complain when somebody doesn’t tip them.

        plus the minimum 20% tax tip

        Where are you eating that has a 20% minimum tip? I’ve only seen stuff like that for big groups.