God is my witness I initially read this as “TOPS ARE A PRIVILEGE! THEY MUST BE EARNED!” and I thought that was a tad presumptuous of an employer.
Hey hey this is *SUPER* illegal in the United States holy cow.
If you are in this country and took the job, which I hope you didn't, now is definitely the time to look into a pro-bono labour rights lawyer. You're definitely eligible for back pay of any tips withheld and probably more. If you're in any progressive state there's a good chance your rights go beyond this. Regardless, federal regulations:
On a personal note I am seeing red over the situation. Fuck them for the audacity to pull this shit. Fuck them for being manipulative, abusive bosses.
I shudder to imagine the culture there.
Also, "5-10 minutes early is on time" NO!! That's WAGE THEFT. Those 5-10 minutes a day add up to 1 hour 40 to 3 hours 20 a month that you're not being paid (never mind the time they'll inevitably insist you stay longer after your shift to finish tasks). That shit adds up!
It's good to inform folks that this is illegal, but everyone warning OP not to take the job should probably check his blog first, if the username and icon aren't familiar.
He's a lawyer.


















