“An Accidental Tap”: Customer Catches Cashier Giving Himself A Tip, Reports To Corporate

Being a restaurant employee is challenging, often thankless, with the occupational hazard of dealing with entitled people. Most don’t get paid enough for their work, which unfortunately leads to some cases of theft through the tipping system. 

This was an experience for a customer who caught a restaurant cashier adding a few dollars “stealthily” to the bill. The person escalated the matter to top management, who were in disbelief about what happened. 

You’ll find the entire text below and some similar stories from the readers. 

Some employees in the service industry engage in petty theft through the tipping system

Cashier at a restaurant discreetly adds tip while processing payment for seated patrons.

Image credits: Drazen Zigic / Freepik (not the actual photo)

This restaurant cashier added a few dollars to the total bill after the customer had already tipped him

Text description about a cashier giving himself a stealth tip at Jamba Juice.

Text describing a cashier giving himself a stealth tip during a transaction, as confirmed via credit card charges.

Screenshot of text describing a customer's feedback leading to an investigation of a cashier's stealth tip incident.

Text discussing disbelief over a cashier's stealth tip and accidental screen tap.

Text saying "I should hear back after the tapes are reviewed," related to cashier stealth tip incident.

The author escalated the matter to top management

Text message discussing a stealth tip given by a cashier, with an update and reference to a store manager.

Text message discussing cashier's accidental actions on tip screen for better awareness.

Text message discussing a cashier flipping the screen after payment, implying a stealth tip situation.

A woman in a red jacket on a phone call, sitting outdoors with greenery and flowers in the background.

Image credits: svetlanasokolova / Freepik (not the actual photo)

But isn’t counting on achieving a resolution

Text describes a cashier not reversing screen for tip selection, raising questions about stealth tipping.

Security footage text questioning if a cashier gave himself a stealth tip for that day.

Text on a grey background discussing lack of response from Jamba Juice regarding a cashier's actions.

Image credits: IncidentCultural896

Shortcomings from restaurant owners likely cause tip theft

Any form of theft is inexcusable, and necessary sanctions must be imposed on the erring employee. However, such cases could be avoided by restaurant owners. 

Employee-focused law firm Herrmann Law blames the restaurant’s credit card-based tipping system. In a recent article, the firm pointed out how this kind of system gives owners a “false sense of ownership” over tips that legally belong to servers. 

Some employers also steal their staff’s tips. A 2017 report by the Economic Policy Institute revealed that restaurants pocketed $5.8 billion worth of tips. 

Salaries could be another potential reason for tip theft, as restaurant employees earn between $14.39 and $17.11 per hour. These figures show a disparity with the employees’ average hourly wage of $28.16. 

Restaurant owners must take a proactive approach to prevent employee theft

Image credits: Image by Freepik (not the actual photo)

At the end of the day, it’s the employer’s responsibility to take care of its employees and take necessary steps to prevent theft. In the story’s case, using the credit card system for tips indirectly enabled the restaurant staff to steal, albeit a meager amount. 

In an interview with SHRM, lawyer Zoe Argento advises preventing employees from gaining access to valuable information as a form of prevention. Restaurants that use credit cards for tips should reconsider these methods. 

Added surveillance measures can be considered if the situation calls for them, especially in common areas. However, owners must exercise caution. 

“Surveillance can also damage morale if too intrusive,” Argento said. 

Speaking of employee morale, better treatment of staff members may also help prevent theft. Business.com suggests providing staff meals, at the very least, if raises aren’t possible. It also makes employees feel like they are part of a family. 

In the story, the restaurant’s top management could have been more hands-on in dealing with the employee theft. But because they are a known brand, they are likely doing damage control, which isn’t a good look for them.

Readers offered their reactions to the story

A discussion about a cashier giving himself a stealth tip, featuring comments on confronting dishonest practices.

Reddit comment on cashier giving himself a stealth tip saying, "I am surprised it doesn't happen more often.

Comment about a cashier setting a tip to zero at a mall food court.

Comment criticizing a cashier for allegedly giving himself a stealth tip, suggesting firing and charges for petty larceny.

A comment discusses a cashier giving himself a tip, calling it theft.

Comment discussing credit card payments and transaction authentication.

Reddit comment about tips, referencing a "cashier gives himself stealth tip" incident.

Text comment on a forum discussing how a cashier gives himself a stealth tip by recommending paying with cash to avoid tip screen.

Reddit comment questioning if a cashier accidentally gave himself a stealth tip.

Text discussing tipping culture, questioning why tips are needed for fast-food jobs already paying an hourly wage.

Reddit comment by user issaciams: "They are all guilty. This is pure insanity.", related to cashier stealth tip.

Text comment saying, "I tell ya folks, cash is king," related to cashier stealth tip.

Text comment discussing cashier's long-term theft pattern from customers.

Comment on cashier giving himself a stealth tip, questioning reporting honesty.

Some shared similar experiences

Text describing a server at Disney World giving himself a stealth tip, causing accusations of unauthorized charges.

Text describing a customer's experience with a stealth tip scam by a cashier.

Text about a cashier giving himself a stealth tip, adding an extra zero to a tip, causing credit card fraud.

Text recounting an experience of a waitress giving herself a stealth tip by altering a credit card transaction.

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