A
male
age
30-35,
anonymous
writes:I have been working at a restaurant for about 3 months now. I'm still considered a "trainee" because I haven't passed the written exam. Therefore I only receive a maximum of 10% of total gratuity per shift. If there is more than one "trainee" then we split the 10%. Regular employees split the other 90%. There are usually 1-2 regular employees per shift, and sometimes the manager works so one employee receives 90%. I find this extremely unfair and unreasonable because the written exam content is irrelevant to customer service which is improved with experience. I feel that gratuity is a reward from the customer, so I feel discouraged from providing good customer service, which is actually my passion. My coworker who has been here for 4 months recently took and passed the exam and receives regular tips now. Two employees who have been here for 1 year recently took and passed the exam. Word is that they're slow and weren't allowed to take it yet, but I'm guessing my manager felt pressured because the 4-month coworker took it. We have montly meetings with our mentor from the headquarters, and I brought up the above information. They were surprised that I haven't taken the exam yet, and the two 1-year employees have just taken it, since everyone else who came into the company the same time as I, are already receiving regular tips. They said they would bring this up at the next managers meeting and set a deadline for taking the exam. My question is, should I bug my manager whenver I see him about taking the exam? I mean bug him in a friendly way, since he's a nice guy, while still doing my job right. But I don't want to annoy him and be the "smart (or smartass)" employee who isn't "obedient." Or the one little employee who got him in trouble. I also don't want him to speak badly about me to upper management. I'm not cocky, in fact I'm quite reserved, but I feel like I need to stand up for myself. With good judgement, I know I'm ready for the written exam - which I don't even feel is reasonable judgement for receiving regular tips. I'm even quicker and give good customer service with customers than some older employees, though of course I have less knowledge. I rarely work with the manager, so he asked a supervisor whom I work with more, who told him I'm not ready. I'm not sure how biased my supervisor was though, because me working with him means he receives 90% in tips. Should I constantly remind/ask my manager about this? I don't feel like it's his priority. Is this discrimination? I love this job already, but I'll never be completely satisfied until I'm treated fairly. Thank you everyone!
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male
reader, Sageoldguy1465 +, writes (26 February 2013):
 I'd be interested to learn if your duties change following a success at the exam that you mention. Yes? No?
In my experience, the tipping situation that you've described is related to busboys/food deliverers versus waiters/waitresses.... and is seen as the proper distribution of tips, based on the responsibilities involved.... IF that's so, then you can reasonably expect to:
1. Bide your time. Be ready for the exam... do well.. and "move up" to a wait-person position.... and,
2. Do the very-best job you can (in the meanwhile) as a busboy/food deliverer, such that the tips become as generous as possible, as the diners are not just satisfied with the service they receive... but are AWED by it!!!
Good luck....
A
female
reader, AuntyEm  +, writes (26 February 2013):
 If your supervisor doesn't think you are ready for the test, he should give his reasons why, both to you and your manager. On the face of it, it does look like he is being obstructive because of the tip situation, but if you feel you are being held back, you have a right to ask why.
At the next monthly meeting express your wish to take the test again and state that if they feel you are not ready, you'd like to know the reasons firstly so you can ensure there is no discrimination and secondly so you can amend the reasons to enable you to take the test.
This is business and you can speak in a business like manner without getting emotional or upset (despite how you feel inside). If there is still a problem then you may have to consider your position.
As annoying as it is, there are some damned petty awful people we all have to overcome, lots of corruption and backhandedness, but you are being true to yourself and sticking to your guns, which will see you through as you progress in life.
Good luck and let us know how you get on x
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A
male
reader, anonymous, writes (26 February 2013): Do you work independently now? If yes, tip should be all yours. If its only a test that stops you from getting the whole tip, you are right, it doesn't make sense.I know servers make very little per hour, only nominal pay. If you only making 10% so what are you making overall. From 200$ tip it's ony $20, so you end up making less than minimum pay? Are you a server now,or only a bus boy? I can't imagine that server needs more training than a month. The task is simple, it's really a few steps that need to be followed. It's not like they are training you for some really serious job,it's serving people with food. Of course,some training is needed, but not 3 months. Speak up,or leave for a better place
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A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (26 February 2013): This restaurant seemed to be a small place, with only couple people working during shift. I use to work as a server, what written test? I never even heard of it. I was trained also, but not for 3 months. What is there to learn even for 3 months? It s just makes me laugh remembering what an awfull service we receive sometimes from older as you put it from more experienced workers, and your manager is so strick about his employees getting an experience in customers service. The hardest part was to learn a menu, but after a month I knew menu by heart. The main part is here that you are unhappy and think that you are not treated right. At first I thought you didn't pass the test, but then reading further you said they don't let you take a test. It might be very well that your supervisor intentionally says that, because of the tip situation. I just don't understand how other employees that work there for a year didn't get to pass a test for a whole year? Why did they even stay? For me it doesn't look that this place has very good business ethics, and if that's the case you need to find another job. Now you have some experience, it will be easier for you to get a different job where employees are treated fairly. Or you can speak up. And I think you should. In a manner that you are not a crying little boy but a man who kows what he deserves. First talk to your direct supervisor and ask him why he thinks you are not ready for a test, and what else you can do to improve your performance. I don't think though it's a good idea to express your opinion about what you think how relevant this test to customer service. By doing it you kind of questioning their authority, so let them have it:). Say to your supervisor that you think you are ready for the test. At least he will now now where you stand, and he will know now that you are not satisfied with your position now and want to move forward. And if it continues to be the same as it is now, look for a new job. Don't stay unsatisfied and do nothing. I m talking from my experience. If its bad and not improving, it won't get better, ony worse, , time to leave bad business.
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