NS News: Worker’s Action Centre raises awareness of tip theft

An information session was held on the Halifax waterfront on Sunday to raise awareness about tip theft.

“We see that this is a widespread problem. We conducted a survey and 73 percent of respondents said they had experienced tip theft,” says Sydnee Blum of the Worker’s Action Centre.

Blum and her colleagues educated people about what they believe is a dishonest practice of employers taking tips from their employees, which is not illegal in Nova Scotia.

“Because tips are not considered wages, it’s not illegal for an employer to take deductions for things like eating out or a broken plate. Employers see this as a way to cover their costs,” says Blum. “When you leave a tip, you want it to go to the person you tipped. You don’t want the owners keeping a cut, right?”

The Worker’s Action Centre held an information session on the Halifax waterfront to raise awareness about tip theft. (Jonathan MacInnis/CTV News)

Given the high cost of living, Blum says workers cannot afford to forgo the money that customers give them.

“Service sector workers earn some of the lowest wages in the province. These are very precarious employment relationships and we know that the cost of living is skyrocketing and everything is becoming more expensive. That’s why every cent counts,” says Blum.

“The reasons we hear from business owners are the same reasons why workers need those tips so desperately: costs are rising. The cost of doing business is going through the roof, but frankly, many owners see this as an alternative way to garnish wages. Wage garnishment is illegal here,” Blum adds.

The Worker’s Action Centre is calling on the province to ban tip theft so employees can take home money meant for them.

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