Mom Shares A TikTok Of Her $9.28 Paycheck After Working For 70 Hours As A Waitress
Only your iron will is keeping you away from the mocha with whipped cream on top for six dollars. A paycheck is on the horizon, but there’s only one coffee to last you until then, and it’s filtered. Living on a tight budget is like standing on a ledge. No matter how hard you try, you’ll get tired and will start craving a treat. When the big day arrives, you finally see your holy paycheck only to find out… it’s 9 dollars. This is what happened to young Texas mother Aaliyah Cortez. After having worked 70+ hours as a bartender, the woman was left in disbelief: “I cannot afford to live off of $2.13 an hour, so I solely rely on the generosity of my customers.” So, the next time you’re on a night out don’t forget about Aaliyah, me and yourself—we’ve all been there. Scroll down below to see what Aaliyah Cortez told Bored Panda in an interview about the situation.
This brave young mom who works as a bartender at a local bar has raised awareness about wages in the service industry
Image credits: abronte_
@f.aa.dedPSA #psa #fyp #foryou #bartender #server #work #tips #chooseone #CleanFreshHype #photography101 #hardwork #viral♬ original sound – f.aa.ded
When speaking to Bored Panda, Aaliyah Cortez was very honest about her current life. “It’s tough being a working mom for me right now just because I’m going through a custody battle. I would love to spend time with my son, but I have to make a living so we can have a good life once the custody battle comes to an end.”
Image credits: f.aa.ded
Image credits: f.aa.ded
Image credits: f.aa.ded
Image credits: f.aa.ded
Image credits: f.aa.ded
Image credits: f.aa.ded
Image credits: f.aa.ded
Monthly paychecks don’t make her life any easier. “Honestly, every time I open a check I just chuckle a little bit. My coworkers and I will compare checks to see who got the least amount and we’ll just laugh because it’s ridiculous how little we get paid.” Aaliyah still tries to stay positive: “I would just like to add that I love my job and I’m fortunate enough to make enough to get by, but it’s tough to think that if an emergency comes up it could really hurt me financially. I just wish we all had stable and consistent paychecks.”
“It’s important to tip because we literally rely solely on those tips. We’ll be greatly appreciative and it’s just nice to be compassionate and understanding that this is just how laws are set up, and if you’re going to restaurants that do abide by these laws, you are feeding into the broken system. We don’t like relying on the customer but until the laws can get changed, we still need to be paid.” Whatever you do, Don’t. Forget. To tip.
Some people, though, appeared far from convinced
Image credits: JoeMolleda321
Image credits: wesleyamullins
But Aaliyah was quick to defend her point
Image credits: abronte_
Image credits: abronte_
Image credits: abronte_
Image credits: abronte_
“My advice to fellow moms is just keep being badass. Being a mom alone is a full-time job, so I would want them to know I’m supporting them!” At the end of a day, being a mom is the most precious job of all.
Aaliyah’s post sparked a heated debate over how important it is to tip
No, that's not why you tip. That's why you fight for fair wages. And what the h*ll as it got to do with being a mom? If you don't have a child, exploitation is not bad anymore?
I never understood this mentality of "this is why you tip" vs. "this is why we deserve better wages". You keep making the customer the villain and not holding the establishment accountable for giving you a living wage. I'd pay more for food to not tip if that's the answer. When I travel out of this country, tipping isn't' even a thing, so why do we keep harping on it here as if our tips are the only reason you don't have a living wage.
Because getting better wages in the US isn't going to happen any time soon and until then rent has to be paid, food has to be bought, commutes have to be taken. Corporations and politicians have us right where they want us.
I always thought the reason you tip is because you received good service.
Not in the US. You tip them for doing their job.
Yeah....... well oof.
Amen! This tipped-minium wage thing is insane. Give everyone a reasonable minimum wage, reflect that in the menu prices, and do away with this "I'll starve if I don't get tipped" barbaric system.
I came here to say that, 2,13 an hour ?!!!!? I am in disbelief, it needs to be against the law to pay your workers this low. Here in Germany, in the poorest area she would have earned 765€ without tipps, tipping is not a paying system, your poloitical system is whats wrong not the tiping !
As critics have pointed out, she made $708 in tips and that's only what she declared. I agree with you that her insistence that it's customers who should be tipping more, instead of holding her employer accountable for not paying more, sidesteps the real issue.
Exactly! I know around 10% is a usual tip pretty much everywhere ... so this is my basis - if everything is regular, it's the closest to 10 % that doesn't imply change ... like, if I have to pay 17.66 or so, it's 20 and done. If service really is great, it's more, and in case service isn't, I hesitate in giving lower tip - you really have to do something to get me there, only happened two times, of which one I refused to pay at all (and that rightfully ... too long to explain here). Tips are meant as an extra! I don't give it to the employee so the employer can be a cheap-ass, I don't want to enable shitty behaviour of the ones who are better off by far, but support those who do real work.
I hope you’re not in the US if you think 10% is a usual tip everywhere. In the US, I tip minimum 20% because until we change our system that’s the sad reality of how people who serve us make their income. I get paid a decent salary even if I have a bad day; I can’t take home less because someone in the general public decided that my employer should pay me more.
I cannot believe that people is talking about the importance of tipping instead of making the "employers" to pay decent wages. Is impressive, the human stupidity.
EXACTLY why is it customers responsibility to pay for wages???
They only pay 2-4 per hour because they take into account tips, this is 100% decent and legal. I averaged $23/hour when I was a waitress. Also, majority of cash tips are not claimed. So if she claimed $708 in tips she probably made at least $850 or more in tips. AND if you do the math..... hourly 150.00 before taxes + 708 Tips before taxes = $858 and divide it by # of hours worked you get her hourly rate of $12.08 .........but you know facts suck and stuff.
It may be legal, but nope. It's not decent at all. It's capitalistic bullshit that ultimately ruins the business. Badly paid workers are unhappy or preoccupied workers who will do a bad job, and that will reflect on your restaurant. Plus, tipping is not salary, because IT IS NOT CONSTANT!!!! It is an extra for a job well done. It was always meant to be that way. Your putrid capitalistic system is to blame for that. But don't worry. Capitalism will fall.
P.s. this also varies by state. I personally would not work in a state where tips are used to calculate wages prior to receipt.
$2 an hour!?!? Unheard of in my country (Canada). Last time the min wage was that amount was the early 1970's. I absolutely support tipping well for good service, but should that burden really be on the customer? A tip in my opinion is above and on top of a salary, not a substitute for one.
The minimum wage isn't $2. Unfortunately, people that work for tips are exempt from min wage laws. If they make less than min after tips their employer are obligated to make up the difference, but they probably wouldn't do it more than once, if ever (depends on whether the employee knows they're owed). They'd probably be fired for being a bad waiter. Tip based pay is a terrible system. That said, a good waiter at a good restaurant can make bank (statistically more if they're also attractive).
Depends on the state. Here they make at least $15 an hour plus hundreds or thousands in tips.
Emperor Kitten - I hate that you're correct. (I worked waiting tables 2 years)
Incorrect. Federal Minimum Wage is just that; minimum wage for ALL those employed in the United States. True, when tips are factored in, the process to get to the minimum wage is different, but NO employee or employer is "exempt" from Minimum Wage law. https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/wages/wagestips The Federal law :" If the employee's tips combined with the employer's direct wages of at least $2.13 per hour do not equal the federal minimum hourly wage, the employer must make up the difference." That the employer is required to make up the difference is the law, not a preference of the employer.
Hustling tips is an artform. I am not pretty or personable yet I managed a couple hundred a night in cash tips usually
I was just thinking about your last comment. If you're not particularly pretty, handsome, or constantly smiling, I bet it's not a great money earner. Otherwise, if you're good looking, you probably do very well.
Here in Australia the average wage is $15 butt I was making $28 at another bar and gaming business, I’d make between $100-$2000 a week in tips.. For a country that brags about its great living standards and being free and brave... This is absolutely disgusting..!!! This is slave labour people in jail make more money per week that wait staff in America....!!!!!!!!! The difference between Rich and “Dirt Poor” is astonishing..!!! Yet to make these people feel better about themselves, people doing much better off say shit like, their working hard at it.. Or maybe there’s light at the end of the tunnel..??! This is why so so so so many people go into crime and sell “DRUGS” to survive..!!!!! America has more over educated people living on the streets and in jail then any other Country on Earth because of their disgusting Wage rorts..!!!!! Butt those Companies employing them arn’t struggling!! Maccas, Wallmart, KFC, Burger(Hungry jacks) King,Subway, Especially those like Google
This comment has been deleted.
No, that's not why you tip. That's why you fight for fair wages. And what the h*ll as it got to do with being a mom? If you don't have a child, exploitation is not bad anymore?
I never understood this mentality of "this is why you tip" vs. "this is why we deserve better wages". You keep making the customer the villain and not holding the establishment accountable for giving you a living wage. I'd pay more for food to not tip if that's the answer. When I travel out of this country, tipping isn't' even a thing, so why do we keep harping on it here as if our tips are the only reason you don't have a living wage.
Because getting better wages in the US isn't going to happen any time soon and until then rent has to be paid, food has to be bought, commutes have to be taken. Corporations and politicians have us right where they want us.
I always thought the reason you tip is because you received good service.
Not in the US. You tip them for doing their job.
Yeah....... well oof.
Amen! This tipped-minium wage thing is insane. Give everyone a reasonable minimum wage, reflect that in the menu prices, and do away with this "I'll starve if I don't get tipped" barbaric system.
I came here to say that, 2,13 an hour ?!!!!? I am in disbelief, it needs to be against the law to pay your workers this low. Here in Germany, in the poorest area she would have earned 765€ without tipps, tipping is not a paying system, your poloitical system is whats wrong not the tiping !
As critics have pointed out, she made $708 in tips and that's only what she declared. I agree with you that her insistence that it's customers who should be tipping more, instead of holding her employer accountable for not paying more, sidesteps the real issue.
Exactly! I know around 10% is a usual tip pretty much everywhere ... so this is my basis - if everything is regular, it's the closest to 10 % that doesn't imply change ... like, if I have to pay 17.66 or so, it's 20 and done. If service really is great, it's more, and in case service isn't, I hesitate in giving lower tip - you really have to do something to get me there, only happened two times, of which one I refused to pay at all (and that rightfully ... too long to explain here). Tips are meant as an extra! I don't give it to the employee so the employer can be a cheap-ass, I don't want to enable shitty behaviour of the ones who are better off by far, but support those who do real work.
I hope you’re not in the US if you think 10% is a usual tip everywhere. In the US, I tip minimum 20% because until we change our system that’s the sad reality of how people who serve us make their income. I get paid a decent salary even if I have a bad day; I can’t take home less because someone in the general public decided that my employer should pay me more.
I cannot believe that people is talking about the importance of tipping instead of making the "employers" to pay decent wages. Is impressive, the human stupidity.
EXACTLY why is it customers responsibility to pay for wages???
They only pay 2-4 per hour because they take into account tips, this is 100% decent and legal. I averaged $23/hour when I was a waitress. Also, majority of cash tips are not claimed. So if she claimed $708 in tips she probably made at least $850 or more in tips. AND if you do the math..... hourly 150.00 before taxes + 708 Tips before taxes = $858 and divide it by # of hours worked you get her hourly rate of $12.08 .........but you know facts suck and stuff.
It may be legal, but nope. It's not decent at all. It's capitalistic bullshit that ultimately ruins the business. Badly paid workers are unhappy or preoccupied workers who will do a bad job, and that will reflect on your restaurant. Plus, tipping is not salary, because IT IS NOT CONSTANT!!!! It is an extra for a job well done. It was always meant to be that way. Your putrid capitalistic system is to blame for that. But don't worry. Capitalism will fall.
P.s. this also varies by state. I personally would not work in a state where tips are used to calculate wages prior to receipt.
$2 an hour!?!? Unheard of in my country (Canada). Last time the min wage was that amount was the early 1970's. I absolutely support tipping well for good service, but should that burden really be on the customer? A tip in my opinion is above and on top of a salary, not a substitute for one.
The minimum wage isn't $2. Unfortunately, people that work for tips are exempt from min wage laws. If they make less than min after tips their employer are obligated to make up the difference, but they probably wouldn't do it more than once, if ever (depends on whether the employee knows they're owed). They'd probably be fired for being a bad waiter. Tip based pay is a terrible system. That said, a good waiter at a good restaurant can make bank (statistically more if they're also attractive).
Depends on the state. Here they make at least $15 an hour plus hundreds or thousands in tips.
Emperor Kitten - I hate that you're correct. (I worked waiting tables 2 years)
Incorrect. Federal Minimum Wage is just that; minimum wage for ALL those employed in the United States. True, when tips are factored in, the process to get to the minimum wage is different, but NO employee or employer is "exempt" from Minimum Wage law. https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/wages/wagestips The Federal law :" If the employee's tips combined with the employer's direct wages of at least $2.13 per hour do not equal the federal minimum hourly wage, the employer must make up the difference." That the employer is required to make up the difference is the law, not a preference of the employer.
Hustling tips is an artform. I am not pretty or personable yet I managed a couple hundred a night in cash tips usually
I was just thinking about your last comment. If you're not particularly pretty, handsome, or constantly smiling, I bet it's not a great money earner. Otherwise, if you're good looking, you probably do very well.
Here in Australia the average wage is $15 butt I was making $28 at another bar and gaming business, I’d make between $100-$2000 a week in tips.. For a country that brags about its great living standards and being free and brave... This is absolutely disgusting..!!! This is slave labour people in jail make more money per week that wait staff in America....!!!!!!!!! The difference between Rich and “Dirt Poor” is astonishing..!!! Yet to make these people feel better about themselves, people doing much better off say shit like, their working hard at it.. Or maybe there’s light at the end of the tunnel..??! This is why so so so so many people go into crime and sell “DRUGS” to survive..!!!!! America has more over educated people living on the streets and in jail then any other Country on Earth because of their disgusting Wage rorts..!!!!! Butt those Companies employing them arn’t struggling!! Maccas, Wallmart, KFC, Burger(Hungry jacks) King,Subway, Especially those like Google
This comment has been deleted.