Originally Posted by
Gaucho100K
Huh...? No way I buy that wait staff are paid less than the min wage. Laws in the US are taken seriously.... wouldnt an establishment lose their license if busted.,?
As mentioned in my post, some states in the USA don't allow payment of less than the minimum wage, but most do.
Here's an example from the state of Maine
(link):
What is the minimum wage?
Beginning October 1, 2008 the minimum wage in Maine is $7.25 per hour. Maine does not have a training wage or subminimum wage for students. Tipped service employees can be paid one-half the minimum hourly wage. However, if this rate plus tips does not average at least the minimum wage, the employer must pay the difference.
Another example
(link):
What is the minimum wage in Massachusetts?
The minimum wage in Massachusetts is currently $8.00 an hour for most employees. For service employees, like waitstaff, who receive tips of more than $20.00 per month as part of their compensation, the minimum wage is $2.63 an hour.