TIPPING
Where do my tips go?
- Your tips support consistent and above-average employee wages. Traditional table service businesses begin hourly wages at $2.15 / hr plus tips. If we followed this model, our staff would receive a lower hourly wage, and income would fluctuate depending on the day/shift. In fact, we even started with this model when first opening The Circuit Arcade Bar where wages would average out to $11-15 per hour on a good week.
- This system did not provide a reliable lifestyle for some of our employees, especially given the self-serve nature of our venues. Considering several options, we felt we could better support our staff by creating straightforward hourly wages that begin at the top tier of our old model. This brought wages up to $13-20 / hr, and each employee is introduced to their compensation package prior to accepting employment with us.
- Please continue reading to understand what brought us to this great, uncomplicated model for everyone involved.
When I tip, I tip for the employee who is helping me
- Your beer card is your server!
- Your beer card assists you in tapping your own beer, ordering from the kiosks, picking up your own food and in many instances, customers simply leave their beer card in our basket without ever interacting with an employee. This underscores our statement that we do not follow a system where one server is assigned to each group of customers.
- This allows us to keep your experience light and mobile, you’re able to track all your expenses on your beer card while serving yourself. This creates an environment of fun, good food, a great variety of beer and cocktails, all at reasonable prices.
- Because of the above and the fluctuation of tips coupled with fluctuation of sales, our staff chooses to count on a consistent paycheck no matter the volume of business.
How will the tip system be adjusted moving forward?
- We have presented several options to our current staff, and they have unanimously stated that they want to keep the current system for the following reasons:
- Predictable income
- Good compensation
- Less tax liability
- Avoiding seasonal fluctuations in pay
- Avoiding internal staff conflict between working weekends vs working the week
Especially when working with our current restrictions on business volume, gratuities would not come close to bridging the gap between minimum wage and the current compensation. Multiple employees have even received raises to support them and their families during these hard times.
STAFF
Has all staff that went on strike been rehired?
- We took our management’s say into consideration and have kept several staff members. Our staff was not fired, they decided to walk away on their shifts and interrupted our business before presenting us with their concerns.
- Due to their strike, we have had to close down for over a week losing income during an already difficult time. This closure has caused us to lose traction in our reopening process and put much time and effort into clearing the air on our practices and reputation while protecting our retained staff from harassment.
COVID
What are your reopening plans?
- The Circuit Arcade Bar will stay closed as we focus all of our energy onto Slingshot’s safety standards. Please follow along on social media for up to date practices and reopening announcements.
What specific measures are being taken to protect the staff and community?
- Our Director of Operations has worked diligently to comply with all state, federal, and local guidelines for each phase of reopening. This strike was the first time any complaints had been presented to us. We have taken every measure extremely seriously to protect the safety of our staff and customers.
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