A pay slip for 70 hours of a bartender sparked controversy, raising concerns about low wages and tipping practices in service jobs.
A bartender from Austin, Texas, has caused a stir on social media after sharing her shocking pay slip from 70 hours of work.
Aaliyah Cortez’s TikTok video of her low earnings, sparked a debate on tipping and fair wages.
Bartender caused controversy over her pay slip for 70 hours of work
In her video, Aaliyah revealed that she earns just $2.13 an hour before tips.
This is significantly below the federal minimum wage, which is a common practice for tipped employees in the United States.
After working nearly 71 hours, her take-home pay was a mere $9.28 after taxes, Social Security, and Medicare deductions.
Aaliyah explained that she relies heavily on tips from customers to make a living.
She emphasized the importance of tipping, stating, “This is why you should always tip your bartenders and servers.”
Her video aimed to raise awareness about the struggles faced by many workers in the service industry.
“There are laws set up that allow tipped employees to be paid under the federal minimum wage, which makes us rely on the customer to pay our wages,” she told Buzzfeed.
The bartender emphasized the importance of tipping
In her TikTok video, Aaliyah encouraged viewers to consider the challenges faced by servers and bartenders.
She shared that after tips, her paycheck sometimes amounted to $0 after two weeks.
This inconsistency makes it difficult for workers to budget and cover their living expenses.
Aaliyah’s experience highlights a significant issue within the service industry: the reliance on tips to supplement low hourly wages.
She stated, “I cannot afford to live off of $2.13 an hour, so I solely rely on the generosity of my customers.”
This reality is common among many service workers who face similar financial struggles.
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Social media reactions
The response to Aaliyah’s video was mixed.
Some viewers expressed sympathy and understood the need for tipping, while others criticized the tipping culture itself.
One commenter suggested that the U.S. should adopt a pay system like many other developed countries, where businesses provide fair wages without relying on tips.
Some argued tipping shouldn’t be mandatory and customers shouldn’t feel obligated if service is unsatisfactory.
This division reflects a broader debate on service worker compensation and tipping norms.
No. This is not why you should tip. But this is why you in the “first world” should be demanding better labour laws that compel businesses to pay fair wages to their employees.
It’s crazy that this is how much waiters/servers in the US make! One user said.
This is why we have a minimum wage that covers all sectors in the UK tipping isn’t a huge guilt trip on customers though it’s gratefully received when someone chooses to tip, the second user wrote.
In most countries, the customer gives tip as a means of showing gratitude for good/exemplary service, the third user comented.
That’s why it needs to be changed. Tips need to be able to go back to being a bonus for great service not have people expected to live on them, another said.
The employers need to do better!! Shouldn’t be up to the customers to pay the staff directly!! Someone wrote.