Applebee’s fires waitress who posted receipt from pastor complaining about auto-tip

[killarney rose]

Good for Applebees! Tipping has gotten way out of control! People forget- a tip is a gift given to show appreciation to a service person for a job well done. It is NOT the customer's contribution to their salary! It should NEVER be mandatory.

 

[SwampMama]

The party was 11 people, I believe, 5 of those children (children eat free, not sure of the ages). Apparently they had separate checks so Bell's receipt was for her meal only. Bell claimed she left a $6 cash tip BUT her comment would indicate that she didn't and had no intention of leaving one AND Applebee's confirmed that she HAD NOT left a cash tip. So therefore she IS a liar. (Doesn't the ten commandments warn about bearing "false witness"? She might want to brush up on those).

Furthermore, Bell said that her congregation and she frequently ate there after the church service so she was no doubt aware of the policy on gratuities on large parties (which anyone who eats out pretty much knows).

Bell is sounding more and more like a very unlikeable person who feels entitled to treat others poorly and demand that they be fired for their lapses in judgement (such as posting the receipt) and expecting the server to be fired, yet not really apologizing or being remorseful for her blatant rudeness and disrespect.

As a person who preaches and is in the public eye, she should know that her behavior should be something that others will take note of. Indeed, she even put "Pastor" before her name in the signature.

 

[Steely Dan]

Good for Applebees! Tipping has gotten way out of control! People forget- a tip is a gift given to show appreciation to a service person for a job well done. It is NOT the customer's contribution to their salary! It should NEVER be mandatory.

With all due respect, servers don't even make minimum wage. Restaurants lobbied to get an exception from the minimum wage law if their employees make a certain percentage of money in tips. After getting that exception it doesn't matter if anybody ever tips them again. They still get less than minimum wage. So an automatic gratuity is added by Applebees because they are too cheap to pay minimum wage.*

*I don't know for a fact what Applebees pays it's employees, but I'd find it hard to believe the don't take advantage of that.

http://www.dllr.state.md.us/labor/wages/wagehrfacts.shtml


...Employers are allowed to pay tipped employees (defined as employees regularly earning more than $30 per month in tips) not less than $3.63 per hour, provided each employee earns enough tips to bring their average hourly wage to at least the State minimum wage $7.25 per hour. Deficiencies must be supplemented by the employer to bring the employee to the minimum wage level....

 

[Steely Dan]

The link above is for Maryland this is more comprehensive.

This table shows minimum wages across the states and the exemptions they are allowed to have; http://www.paywizard.org/main/minimum-wage/tipped-workers

 

[SwampMama]

Chelsea repports that she made 3.50 an hour at Applebees. She said with tips, she averaged usually less that 9 dollars an hour. Servers basically live off of tips. the 2 or 3 dollars an hour they make usually goes to taxes.

The IRS assumes that a server makes 15% or more on everything they serve and taxes/charges the servers an automatic 8% of all of their sales. For instance, I serve a table and their bill comes to $100 and they don't leave a tip. The IRS assumes that I got my tip and I have to pay taxes on that, so it actually cost me money to wait on that table.

(I worked as a restaurant manager and server so I doled out tips and such at the end of the night and did paperwork with servers declaring their tips). Plus most places expect the server to pay out a portion of tips to the workers who bus (clean up) tables

Plus there are hours of work that the server makes NO tips on such as prep work and cleanup (filling ketchup, salt, pepper containers, etc) before and after restaurant opening.

 

[Steely Dan]

The link above is for Maryland this is more comprehensive.

This table shows minimum wages across the states and the exemptions they are allowed to have; http://www.paywizard.org/main/minimum-wage/tipped-workers

Holy Crap!! In Virginia an employer doesn't have to pay you anything if you make 7.25 or more per hour in tips.

 

[nothingnew]

I am not sure that Chelsea didnt deserve some kind of something-it wasnt her table, right? The actual server showed her the bill and Chelsea photo'd it and posted it, right? I would be irate if my name ended up on the www. The pastor shamed herself with her actions....tell me there was some kind of wine involved in that declaration??

And now when "Chelsea" is seeking out employment she'll have a nice little biography to go along with her future rejections .Seriously, what a dumbass. I hope she learns a lesson about respecting privacy and self-respect.

 

[ScarlettScarpetta]

I personally don't think tips should ever be mandatory. A tip is for good service. Now you can't go through a drive thru without a tip cup these days.

That being said, I think what the woman did was in poor taste. She should have taken it up with the manager or left what she thought was appropriate.

As for the waitress, she was wrong too. Should she be fired? I don't know. But it was not less right.

 

[believe09]

The only reason anyone knew who it was is because a friend of hers, that recognized her writing called her about it. Like I posted above she Streisand Effected herself. She should have just let it go. JMO

Respectfully, it shouldnt have happened in the first place imvho. I mean Chelsea shouldnt have posted it...it was a clear violation of Applebees policy. The pastor is an idiot for writing it.

 

[Steely Dan]

And now when "Chelsea" is seeking out employment she'll have a nice little biography to go along with her future rejections .Seriously, what a dumbass. I hope she learns a lesson about respecting privacy and self-respect.

I'd hire her in a nanosecond if I owned a restaurant. :laughcry:

 

[Elley Mae]

I have had the opportunity to wait on people and it can be a great job at the right place. I have also had the opportunity to meet some very ignorant people. There are people that walk in restaurant knowing the minute they hit the floor they will have a problem with the meal, the service, the drinks. It was actually funny because after a while you could pick them out. (the cheap, non tipping jerks) And it was fun to F with them knowing you were going to get riped off. It's amazing how hard it is to be mean or ignorant to someone that is bending over bass ackwards to serve them. I loved being able to see them squirm trying to find fault. Anyway, I have been tipping 20% or more for 10-12 years. Oh I will say this and take it for what it's worth, there are restaurants that are in areas that an automatic gratuity is added for this very reason.

 

[LJKaust]

Those wages are shocking!:what: Over here a teenager working at McDonalds gets paid more than that. I always leave a tip if the service is good, even though it's not really the done thing. How can people survive on that???

 

[SwampMama]

Most people who have ever worked hard as a server will be a good tipper as well as an understanding customer. I remember my days as a server and I remember those customers who always found fault and tried to get free stuff by making false complaints and left little or no tip.

But for the most part, people were good to work with. Our restaurant was in a hotel so we had tourist, regular guests and even did banquets and events.

Honestly the worst group we ever dealt with was the Southern Baptist Convention which came into town every year and booked rooms with us as well as a banquet. They were rude, destructive, unappreciative and tried to take home everything from the hotel that wasn't nailed down. It was just unbelievable!!

Instead of tips, they would leave these fake little cards that looked like money until you unfolded them. Ughh!!!

 

[zwiebel]

Good article by the waitress written here - I'm thinking a career as some kind of writer might be an alternative for her, now she's unemployed.......

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/feb/01/fired-applebees-waitress-needs-tips

 

[Azriell]

Good article by the waitress written here - I'm thinking a career as some kind of writer might be an alternative for her, now she's unemployed.......

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/feb/01/fired-applebees-waitress-needs-tips

Great article! Thanks for sharing.

 

[redheadedgal]

IMHO regardless of whether the comment was 'right' or 'wrong', the receipt DID NOT belong to the person who took a pic of it and posted it. In essence, it belonged to the Applebee's. It was a business transaction between the establishment and the patron. I don't think employees, or even owners, of any type of business have a right to invade anyone's privacy by posting a copy of a receipt.

I mean Chelsea shouldnt have posted it...it was a clear violation of Applebees policy.

but applebee's itself can post a receipt with the name of the customer clearly showing?

 

[Bonnie Blue]

I have never understood why we are expected to tip in the first place. I do tip, of course, but why is that whole "server" thing even allowed? Why doesn't the restaurant pay a fair wage? It's not like the food is cheap in the first place so why are we expected to "pay" their employees wages? It's like Walmart requiring you to tip your cashier because they checked you out. I just don't get it.

 

[gitana1]

Those wages are shocking!:what: Over here a teenager working at McDonalds gets paid more than that. I always leave a tip if the service is good, even though it's not really the done thing. How can people survive on that???

They can't. A friend of mine works as a bartender in AZ. She earns $4.25 per hour plus tips and often she walks away with little more than 20 extra for a 7 hour shift. Not even minimum wage in CA.

IMHO regardless of whether the comment was 'right' or 'wrong', the receipt DID NOT belong to the person who took a pic of it and posted it. In essence, it belonged to the Applebee's. It was a business transaction between the establishment and the patron. I don't think employees, or even owners, of any type of business have a right to invade anyone's privacy by posting a copy of a receipt.

That bothers me about this...maybe the patron's comments were uncalled for, but it was not the servers place to broadcast it...and no one seems to think THAT is a problem.

I'm not fussed by it. Bad people, offensive people need to be called out, IMO. That's how we reduce such behavior. And Applebees is a huge corporation. It's not like the waitress stole money from some small business owner.

However, I actually can understand why the restaurant fired her. They probably felt they had to because businesses cannot be in the business of controlling morality or public shaming. That's bad for business.

But, I'm sorry that the person who was trying to stick up for the little guy lost her job while the person who was trying to stick it to the little guy, got away with not paying and gets to gloat over the firing. That's just some bad karma, IMO.

I respectfully disagree. If she had posted the entire receipt with the name of the company and showed the signature clearly then I'd agree. However, neither of those things happened. JMO

I think she actually posted the whole signature. It's everywhere on the internet. She just didn't think the sig could be read:

Ugh, if this is true, which I doubt based on what I have read, leaving pennies as part of a tip (I mean actual pennies, not rounding up on your CC) is so disrespectful. ick.

And also if true, goes against the pastor's whole reasoning.

BBM
Oh no! I didn't know that! I do it all the time! It's because I like to round to an even number on my bills. But I always tip more than 20% (I was also a server!)

Good for Applebees! Tipping has gotten way out of control! People forget- a tip is a gift given to show appreciation to a service person for a job well done. It is NOT the customer's contribution to their salary! It should NEVER be mandatory.

With respect, seriously? Applebees didn't fire her because they agree with the pastor about tipping. The mandatory 18% is Applebee's policy, not the waitress'. They fired her for posting a photo of an Applebee receipt and causing a patron to be able to be identified.

I just don't understand the hatred of working class people. These are people struggling, absolutely struggling to get by.

And as for tips, they are To Insure Proper Service (TIPS), not to reward good service. And they ARE the customer's contribution to their salary, just a more flexible contribution than paying more for food which would result from higher server wages (would you prefer that? They don't tip in Australia or New Zealand and the food is seriously expensive. Does that work better?) That's because tipping as a customer contribution to a server's salary is a standard part of American culture.

Finally, although it is a standard part of American culture, in our country it is no more mandatory (except for large tables who necessarily cause the server to run his or her tail off) than saying "excuse me" or holding a door open for someone or standing up so an elderly lady can sit down. But, failing to tip is just as rude as slamming a door in the face of the person behind you or smugly staying seated while some old person has to stand.

Sorry, ETA TO BE CLEAR, not directed at you killarney rose), but I'm sick of people - who just want to pay less and stiff some poor sot who can barely survive- making excuses for failing to tip, like they are against taxes or are religious or they shouldn't be "forced" to have good manners and do the right thing.

ETA: This post on yahoo (it got over 18,000 thumbs up) really sums it up when it comes to people who act like they are holier than thou but who treat service people like dog poo:

I once saw a group of about 15 people leave a few quarters on a table for a waitress one time at an Applebees. They were a group who just got out of evening service at their church ( I overheard their conversations). The waitress did an amazing job taking care of 15 people by herself. When she came back to the table and the group had left, she sat down and began to cry. I went over to her and gave her 50 dollars. That covered their tip, and mine. She stated she was a single mom who had made some bad choices, but was trying to get her life straight, putting herself through college. When I left, I ran into 6 or 7 of the jerks in the parking lot. I explained to them what a poor example of Jesus Christ they were, and that they should be ashamed of themselves. By the time I was finished, they were walking back into the store leaving her more money. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER judge someone because of the work they do, if you have never walked in their shoes!!! Just wanted to share!!!

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/pastor-tip-receipt-155914258.html?nopharma=1

 

[Steely Dan]

I have never understood why we are expected to tip in the first place. I do tip, of course, but why is that whole "server" thing even allowed? Why doesn't the restaurant pay a fair wage? It's not like the food is cheap in the first place so why are we expected to "pay" their employees wages? It's like Walmart requiring you to tip your cashier because they checked you out. I just don't get it.

Read posts #23, 24, 25 and 26 here if you haven't already.

 

[Steely Dan]

They can't. A friend of mine works as a bartender in AZ. She earns $4.25 per hour plus tips and often she walks away with little more than 20 extra for a 7 hour shift. Not even minimum wage in CA.



I'm not fussed by it. Bad people, offensive people need to be called out, IMO. That's how we reduce such behavior. And Applebees is a huge corporation. It's not like the waitress stole money from some small business owner.

However, I actually can understand why the restaurant fired her. They probably felt they had to because businesses cannot be in the business of controlling morality or public shaming. That's bad for business.

But, I'm sorry that the person who was trying to stick up for the little guy lost her job while the person who was trying to stick it to the little guy, got away with not paying and gets to gloat over the firing. That's just some bad karma, IMO.



I think she actually posted the whole signature. It's everywhere on the internet. She just didn't think the sig could be read:

BBM
Oh no! I didn't know that! I do it all the time! It's because I like to round to an even number on my bills. But I always tip more than 20% (I was also a server!)



With respect, seriously? Applebees didn't fire her because they agree with the pastor about tipping. The mandatory 18% is Applebee's policy, not the waitress'. They fired her for posting a photo of an Applebee receipt and causing a patron to be able to be identified.

I just don't understand the hatred of working class people. These are people struggling, absolutely struggling to get by.

And as for tips, they are To Insure Proper Service (TIPS), not to reward good service. And they ARE the customer's contribution to their salary, just a more flexible contribution than paying more for food which would result from higher server wages (would you prefer that? They don't tip in Australia or New Zealand and the food is seriously expensive. Does that work better?) That's because tipping as a customer contribution to a server's salary is a standard part of American culture.

Finally, although it is a standard part of American culture, in our country it is no more mandatory (except for large tables who necessarily cause the server to run his or her tail off) than saying "excuse me" or holding a door open for someone or standing up so an elderly lady can sit down. But, failing to tip is just as rude as slamming a door in the face of the person behind you or smugly staying seated while some old person has to stand.

Sorry, but I'm sick of people - who just want to pay less and stiff some poor sot who can barely survive- making excuses for failing to tip, like they are against taxes or are religious or they shouldn't be "forced" to have good manners and do the right thing.

ETA: This post on yahoo (it got over 18,000 thumbs up) really sums it up when it comes to people who act like they are holier than thou but who treat service people like dog poo: http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/pastor-tip-receipt-155914258.html?nopharma=1

BBM

First, about the receipt. I had only seen edited versions of it in the articles I read, so I assumed that was how it was originally posted. The picture you showed does make it a little different.

As far as the bolded part I think what NZ and Australia do is the right way to do it. When you factor in the correct tip the meal is more costly than the menu suggests. At least those servers know what they will be taking home every week and can budget around it. It's not a good week vx. bad week kind of thing.

Essentially, IMO, the employers and non tippers are stealing from the servers. I always over tip because I know that I have to make up for some :censored: who thinks that gratuities are a scam. (no offense intended toward any of those who've posted here.) JMO