Do you rely on tips for a living? - Public Insight Network | Marketplace

Do you rely on tips for a living?

Tipping is a complicated issue that has very few clear rules. And yet, salaries in more than a few professions are almost entirely dependent on the practice. So, what's a fair tip?

As someone who works in an industry dependent on gratuity, you've probably thought a lot about that answer. And we want to hear your perspective.

Tell us here.

Your responses will help Marketplace's ongoing exploration of the murky world of tipping. Nothing you write will be shared publicly unless you give us permission to do so.

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First Name *

Last Name *

Street Address

City *

State or Province

Postal Code *

Country

E-mail *

Phone *

What do you do for work?

How important are tips for your income?

How long have you worked at a job in which your wages were in part dependent on tips?

Do you work in a state where the tipped minimum wage is below the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour?

Yes
No
I'm not sure.

If so, do tips bring your wages in line with the minimum wage? If not, how regularly are you earning less than minimum wage? Once in a while? Once a month? Once a week? Once a day?

How much do you earn a year?

What would you say is a fair tip for services you provide?

Do you receive tips directly, or share in a pool? Which would you prefer and why?

Have you had employers steal your tips? Have you ever sought the help of a state agency or lawyer in order to retrieve tips unrightfully taken by your employer? If so, were you successful? Tell us about what happened.

For women working in the service industry: How often do you encounter sexual harassment from management or from customers?

Is there anything you'd like to add? Anyone else we should talk to about this topic?

Would you be willing to talk to a reporter about what you've shared here?

Yes
No

Can we post your comments on our website with your first name and location? Your comments may be edited for length and clarity.

Yes
No

Now for a few questions to help us get to know you a little better

In what year were you born?

What is your gender?

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Your answers are confidential. We will not quote you without first getting your explicit permission.

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