Is it true that waitresses are responsible for paying the bill for a customer that bails before paying?

[Twodogs0525]

Have any GAG waitresses or former waitresses experienced this? Were you forced to pay?

Updates

7 mo

After further investigation, it is 100% illegal for an employee to garnish any employee's wages without written permission from the employee, or an actual court order.

If an employer can prove intent or negligence, they can actually go through a legal process to retrieve their money but obviously, most just fire the employee.

I will note, that a fair amount of employees WILL pay the money themselves, probably to keep in good standing with the company/employer.

[Beckybooboo]

I waitressed on and off for a few years (high school/college) and had two groups leave without paying. I wasn't required to pay. In fact, the manager told me it would be illegal for him to make me pay.

[Beckybooboo]

I also have to say how dumb the people were! They were local younger guys there after bar, so, people knew who they were! The cops were called and I'm guessing they eventually paid.

[Twodogs0525]

Interesting. I had friends that dinned and dashed and the police did get involved but they were told the waitress was responsible for the bill unless they paid. I've always heard that!

[Beckybooboo]

I've heard people say that too and maybe some employers scare them into it but it's illegal. It's no different if I break dishes on the job, I'm not responsible for paying for them. Eventually I'd probably get fired though lol

[exitseven]

My best friend was a bartender and he had ot pay if somebody stiffed him

[Twodogs0525]

@exitseven Are you sure he didn't agree to pay it back? Employee's do often times pay the money because they don't wanna seem involved or as a bad employee. They wanna stay in good standing.

[exitseven]

I remember him telling me that he would be docked if someone skipped out on the tab. As a result he always watched the customers and as far as I know it never happened to him

[Beckybooboo]

@Twodogs0525 I remember talking to the guy that cashes out our vending machines at work. He puts the money in separate bags (one coins the other bills) and he said one time the bag with bills was stolen. He said it was around $300. He did say he didn't have to pay it back but he did anyway because he felt responsible and guilty. There is definitely some truth to people choosing to pay it back to remain in good standing with the employer.

[Nikki1989]

Only in America could that be a thing.

[Twodogs0525]

Turns out it isn't true. It would actually be illegal.

[slatyb]

That's illegal in most or all of the United States and I expect it is the same in the EU and most developed nations.

[exitseven]

Yes, that is correct. Every time you do a chew and screw some poor waitress loses money.

[DryGermanGuy]

A sick country (or I shall say state?) that lets companies do that to their employees. 🤬

[exitseven]

Thanks for the MHO😎

[Kelley1]

The only way a business could force waitresses to pay for the unpaid food and retain their waitresses is to pay much higher salaries, or if the tips were exceptionally high.

[Summeroflove]

No it’s theft of services and the waiter or waitress has no control over that.

[beefcakebradybatson]

I don't know, and isn't such a deadbeat customer arrested if they're caught?

[douride2]

Not sure where you live but here. It is illegal for an employer to do that.

[chucktheduck]

I think so