Tips & Gratuities

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Below is plaintiff Robert Atkins’ complaint against Metronome Events, recently filed in New York state court. Plaintiff, who worked as a bartender, alleges that he was paid $150 for each of 140 events he worked, and that defendants unlawfully withheld service charges and gratuities from him. He asserts claims under the New York Labor Law (namely, Labor…

Read More Bartender Seeks Withheld Service Charges/Gratuities From High-Profile Event Planner
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In Barenboim v. Starbucks, the Second Circuit (by Summary Order) yesterday held that Starbucks shift supervisors are not precluded by New York Labor Law § 196-d from sharing in tips.  The decision follows the New York Court of Appeals’ decision this summer that answered a certified question regarding the interpretation of that statute. The New York…

Read More Starbucks Shift Supervisors May Share in Tips
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Yesterday in Barenboim v. Starbucks, the New York Court of Appeals (responding to the Second Circuit’s certified questions) interpreted New York Labor Law § 196-d. That statute provides: No employer or his agent or an officer or agent of any corporation, or any other person shall demand or accept, directly or indirectly, any part of the gratuities,…

Read More NY Court of Appeals Interprets New York Tip Statute as it Applies to Starbucks Employees
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In Winans v. Starbucks, 796 F. Supp. 2d 515 (SDNY July 11, 2011), the Southern District of New York dismissed a complaint alleging that Starbucks improperly retained gratuities that plaintiffs were entitled to receive. Plaintiffs, several Starbucks “assistant store managers”, sued their employer for violating New York Labor Law 196-d.  The Court ruled in Starbucks’…

Read More Court Holds That Starbucks Complied With Tip-Sharing Statute
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