New York servers take $600 in tips, manager demands they give 20% to the kitchen staff: 'I get paid $7 an hour'

The money you earn is only money to be shared if you make that choice.

In any job, but especially in hospitality, the cash you earn with honesty should be yours to keep. If you are working as part of the team, it is only fair that you share the profits, but anyone who wasn't side by side with you on shift likely isn't entitled to whatever amount you managed to earn on the floor.

This should not be a controversial statement, but there are some establishments where it turns out to be. Some restaurants seem to have a policy where just because the money gets earned under their roof, it is fair game for whoever to take however much of it that they want. Seeing as servers are almost always underpaid, it doesn't seem like this should be something that should happen (and in many cases, it goes against the law as well).

Not only is it frustrating for a server to be told that they need to share their tips, but it can also jeopardize their livelihood. It is important for them to speak up and make sure that they get the money that they deserve.