JD Tipout Scam

On 2004-11-07, at the end of my Sunday buffet shift, washing dishes at JDPranksters, I was pulled aside by one of the shift managers. She informed me that there have been several complaints from the (lazy, work-ethic-less) ladies (waitresses) up front, to the effect that I’m “too slow”. As a result I am currently pulled from the schedule. Which is to say, while I am technically still an employee I do not have any hours.

In my humble opinion this complaint is complete bullshit. I stay well ahead of the job’s requirements of clean dishes.

Since I was considering quitting anyway, causing being the poor working conditions, insufficient hours, and below-minimum-wage pay rates, this situation is not really all that bad of a thing. However:

JD’s has a tip-out system, where all waitress tips are pooled together, and the kitchen staff gets a biannual payout from that pool. There is a tipout coming up in 3 weeks. I have been working there since April, putting in a large chunk of time (one of the longest working dishwashers). I have yet to receive a tip. I don’t think they currently intend to actually give me anything.

I am also not being outright fired for anything in particular (which I suspect has something to do with shady business practices pertaining to unemployment insurance). Yet, remaining on staff is not exactly financially beneficial. Thus, I am forced to stop coming by.

I expect a phone call from Carey (the shift manager who notified me of the complaint(s) and schedule change) this afternoon. Given that I believe she will either not tell me of any significant change in the state of the world, or not bother to call me at all, I have resolved to do the following:

1. Demand my cut of the tipout. I am owed this money by virtue of working for less then minimum wage. Since I am still an employee there is no reason I am not entitled to this. While I think it’s currently a doubtful prospect at best it’s worth the hassle.
2. Demand my severance papers. I need to officially, legally cut my ties of employment with this company and move on. I cannot remain employed by them under a 0-working-hours scheme.

Interestingly enough, just a few days ago I was confronted with the idea of getting a different job, and I responded “This is kinda stable.” Which is to say, I had all but given up on leaving of my own accord anytime soon. Now I am forced to do something. Which, all told, is a good thing.