Tip-out Bill Reaches Second Reading

TORONTO — A bill that would prohibit Ontario restaurant employers from taking any portion of an employee’s tips or other gratuities recently passed its second reading in the Ontario Legislature.

Bill 144, Protecting Employees’ Tips Act 2010 received verbal support from members of all three political parties, despite the fact that it was proposed by NDP MPP Michael Prue as a private member’s bill amending the Employment Standards Act, 2000.

The bill would not affect servers sharing a portion of their tips and other gratuities with fellow workers who assist them, such as busboys and bartenders.

This comes after an April Toronto Star story highlighted a problem with wait staff having to give tip-outs to management.