What are the rules for tip-pooling?

Tip-pooling is a legal practice in Washington where employees in the hospitality and service industries can combine the tips they receive from customers and share them with other employees. In Washington, employers are required to follow the regulations set by the state’s Department of Labor & Industries regarding tip-pooling. To be legal, the tip-pool must be established voluntarily by the employees and can only include employees who customarily receive tips. Employers are not permitted to keep any of the pooled tip money for themselves. The tip pool is used for staff members who contribute to service and customer satisfaction, such as servers, bussers, hosts, and bartenders. Employees like dishwashers, cooks, dishroom attendants, and janitors are not included in the tip-pool in Washington as they are not considered to contribute to the customer experience. It is important for employers to remember that it is illegal for them to force employees to share tips. Employees must be allowed to keep tips received from customers and can choose to keep all of their tips if they wish. Employers must also keep accurate records of the tip-pooling activity in the workplace. In Washington, employers who violate the tip-pooling regulation can face severe legal consequences that can include steep fines. Therefore, employers must make sure to comply with the established laws to avoid any potential penalties.

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What are the rules for tip-pooling?

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