Should servers get $15 an hour plus tips? Readers are torn.

Tipped workers in Massachusetts, such as those working in the restaurant industry, could see an increase to their minimum wage before tips under a proposed ballot initiative.

Labor-activist group One Fair Wage is pushing for a ballot measure that would require employers to pay their tipped workers the state’s minimum hourly wage of $15, before tips. Currently, most employers in Massachusetts pay tipped workers $6.75 an hour, and workers use tips to get to at least $15 an hour. When tips fall short, the employers are required to make up the difference.

Boston.com readers support an increase to the tipped minimum wage, but are divided over whether workers should receive tips in addition to their increased hourly pay, of if we should do away with tipping entirely.

We asked our readers to weigh in on several potential changes to tipping for Massachusetts restaurant workers. More than 375 readers responded to our poll, with the votes spread out almost evenly across the board for each tipping scenario. 

31% supported raising the minimum wage for servers to $15 an hour plus tips; 19% said yes to $15 an hour and optional tips; 22% said the minimum wage should be raised but tips should be eliminated completely, and 25% said nothing should change. 

Many readers who support the increased minimum wage plus tips, such as Tucker K. from Somerville, said “it feels unfair that food service workers have to rely on tips to make minimum wage.”

James from Revere agreed, saying he “want[s] to tip as a reward for good service, not because I’m literally paying a server’s wages.”

“Restaurant owners should pay their fair share and pay their workers $15 an hour with tips on top,” he added.

Other readers, though, said tipping on top of $15 an hour should be optional and at the discretion of the customer.

“Servers deserve a living wage as a minimum, just like all workers. Tipping should be optional for exceptional service,” Karsten from Boston said.

But some said tipping should be eliminated completely if the worker is receiving minimum wage.

“If servers want $15/hour, then they can’t expect to receive tips on top of that. It’s either $6.75 per hour plus tips, or $15 per hour with no tips. Can’t have it both ways,” Ryan from Amesbury said.

Chris C. from North Andover argued that any increases to pay will cause food prices to rise.

“This will just raise the cost of the already inflated meals, drinks, etc.  while empowering businesses to raise prices, cut portion sizes, and find ways to replace people,” he said.

Below, find a sampling of reader responses on changes to the restaurant industry, and tipped workers specifically.

What would you like to see change in the restaurant industry?

 $15 minimum wage + tips

“The sub-minimum wage for tipped workers in MA is only $6.75 per hour. Over 2/3 of tipped workers are women, mostly working in casual restaurants. These workers struggle with three times the poverty rate of other workers, two times the use of food stamps and the highest rates of sexual harassment. During the pandemic many earned too little to qualify for unemployment.”

– Deborah B., South End

“I live to work, and having a predictable income plus tips will really bring stability for me and my family.”

– Gloria, South Boston

“Restaurant workers are professionals and deserve a full wage from their employers. Gratuities are part of the service industry and should continue to be an incentive for good service.”

– Alex, Somerville

“$15/hr is rapidly becoming too little as an income, and I expect over the next few years it will be raised. So targeting $15 with tips will just be keeping up.”

– Matthew S., Cambridge

“I used to work at a high-end steakhouse 10 years ago and could easily pocket $400 a day as tip-outs were low. I also did work at a similar restaurant in Southern California. Everyone made the full minimum wage, due to that the tip-out was far larger. It would be an adjustment but far more equitable.”

– Kevin C., New Bedford

“Having a reliable income is usually possible if you’re a tipped worker – but it’s good to have a safety net. A bad day at a restaurant can mean working a full day and walking away empty handed. Employers should be responsible for paying their workers, but as restaurant customers we should also continue to tip for good service.”

– V.B., Medford

 $15 minimum wage + optional tips

“It would ensure that we actually collect taxes on tips, which are woefully under reported, but more importantly it would get close to a living wage.”

– Mark R., Braintree

“Tipping should never be a requirement, and if the minimum wage was $15 then it should certainly be at the discretion of the consumer. They all deserve a true minimum wage, because not everyone gets to work at busier times when you would see more tips. Also people have different ideas of what good service is, and that can affect tips, which is unfair.”

– D., Winchendon

“Why do we have a different minimum wage for different workers? The business owner should accurately price the meal on their menu fairly and pay their staff accordingly. Tips should be reserved for exceptional service, not the expectation for meeting the accepted standard.”

– Mark, Newton

“I’m a frequent restaurant goer and I believe the workers should receive the same minimum wage as other workers. Tips should be an add-on for exceptional service.”

– John L., Reading

 $15 minimum wage (eliminate tips)

“Tipping is a horrible practice. It allows restaurants to systemically underpay their front of house staff and hope that their patrons make up the difference. It creates an additional tax on the diner that isn’t realized until after the meal is over and the bill is on the table. It is unnecessary and many countries do just fine paying their workers without this extra burden. Tips should be out of generosity, not mandatory.”

– Bradley W., Westford

“My years of experience living in Japan taught me that tipping culture does not benefit the customer, period. It simply offloads the cost of the restaurant’s labor onto its customers. When I returned to the USA I lived in a state without a tipped minimum.  It just resulted in higher prices with tips on top. I strongly support raising the tipped minimum, but if and only if it comes with a corresponding shift away from tipping. I will be voting against this ballot measure.”

– Melanie C., Fitchburg

“The justification for tipping has always been that it made up for the server not making minimum wage. If they want minimum wage then they give up tips. This will end up saving consumers money because we will no longer be guilted into giving 20%-25% extra for someone to bring me a plate of food and a drink when they get around to it.”

– Jonathan D., North Attleboro

 No change, I like how it is now

“While tipping culture has gotten out of control, $15 an hour will probably lower the tips us bartenders and servers get. When I go to concerts and sporting events, I don’t tip as well as I do when I go to bars or restaurants because I know those folks make an hourly rate. Most people don’t want to tip folks who are making a decent hourly rate. I feel that if I started making $15 an hour, my take home pay will actually decrease.”

– Patrick O., Boston

“I waited tables in high school and college and will say I typically made $20+ per hour, sometimes even in the $30’s. What most people don’t understand is if tips don’t get a waiter to the $15 an hour minimum, the owner has to pay them $15 an hour anyways. No one is making less than that today. If waitstaff want to be paid $15 an hour tipped minimum wage, that’s fine, but then I’m going to go back to the way tips used to be doled out: for exceptional service. Tip culture has gotten out of control.”

– Matt M., Ipswich

“I don’t mind tipping well for good service.  So things are good as is. But if restaurant workers’ minimum increases to $15, then tipping should come to an end. It is far too much money from the customer’s wallet, and menu prices will only increase if restaurants are required to double worker wages.”

– Neil R., South Boston