Need answers
Hey guys,
I work in retail and I usually get tips, not a lot but like 5 dollars, 10, one time 50 every 4 to 6 months. Sometimes customers would buy me coffee, drinks, chocolates etc.
But I had a small argument with my manager regarding cash tips and gifts.
I argued that a retail employee can accept gifts or cash if it's reasonable value and if I still treat them equally like anyone else. In my retail job, it's very hard to bypass the system to have a customer have a significant advantage over other customers. For example: If a customer gives me a $20 tip for my service, and they come in the next time, I seriously cannot offer them any discounts, freebies etc etc. Therefor, I am treating that customer like any other customer.
My manager stated any cash tips or any gifts needs to be declined. I advised that accepting tips is not illegal whether its in cash form or other forms of payment such as chocolates, BUT i did say accepting tips with significant value needs to be reassessed. For example: If a customer gives me $200, I need to claim that through tax.
I remember finding a website on guidelines and the legalities of accepting gifts or cash from customers but when I tried googling it, I can't seem to find it.
But my question to you guys, what are you thoughts of it?
There is no law against tipping in the UK not sure about the US I have had bosses tell me I'm not allowed to accept tips I just ignore them & would sue for unfair dismissal if it came to it. Never argued with them when they told me just nodded my head & then ignored them. My biggest tip was £1500
1500!!! what did you do need info!
An interior design the job cost £30,000 I would have earned about £3000 including the tip on that job. £500 an hour for 6 hours work. They say I could sell water to a drowning man. I don't work much now at all, Never for myself. If my children need something I put a couple of hours in for them. Only for cash & on the proviso that I don't have to touch it & it goes straight to my children. I don't have a bank account anymore I closed it & gave all my money away & live off grid now. I help people living in poverty by delivering crates of food to families with children & cook an evening meal for homeless folk. I do it for free. The homeless folk struggle with addiction & relationship problems usually. I am out there with them & act like a kind of agony aunt to them, I have talked many out of their situations Heroin,Meth,Alcohol,gambling & relationship issues. I have a far more rewarding life now.