Quote Originally Posted by Tifa's Boobs View Post
Well, Miriel, that's the thing, isn't it? Why are restaurants allowed to pay their employees less?

Is there some law about this? I really don't know.
I knew there was something along the lines of a "tipped wage" that was essentially a loophole for minimum wage with service jobs so I googled it.

Quote Originally Posted by http://www.dol.gov/elaws/faq/esa/flsa/002.htm
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires payment of at least the federal minimum wage to covered, nonexempt employees. An employer of a tipped employee is only required to pay $2.13 an hour in direct wages if that amount plus the tips received equals at least the federal minimum wage, the employee retains all tips and the employee customarily and regularly receives more than $30 a month in tips. If an employee's tips combined with the employer's direct wages of at least $2.13 an hour do not equal the federal minimum hourly wage, the employer must make up the difference.
Some states have minimum wage laws specific to tipped employees. When an employee is subject to both the federal and state wage laws, the employee is entitled to the provisions which provides the greater benefits.
Interestingly, you could go to your employer and have him make up the difference if you don't make minimum wage with the tipped wage and tips. You'll probably get fired for some non-related reason, but still! lol.