Minimum wage?
 

Hi Everyone,<BR>I work as a food server and planning to move to Florida this summer and I would like to know what the hourly pay(excluding tip) is in Florida,especially in Tampa Bay Area in restaurant business for the food server.Not for bussers.<BR><BR>Thank you all.<BR>bye.

A friend of mine works for a major restaurant in a large hotel in Clearwater near Tampa. He is paid $3.75 an hour plus tips. He has health insurance drawn from that as well as income tax (based on his estimated tips. He actually takes home about $10 a week, not counting tips which average about $ 750. He works five nights for about 6 hours each night.

Thank you xxx.<BR>Can You Tell me also the name of the hotel?

Minimum wage is $2.13 per hour for "tipped" staff, combined with tips minimum is $5.15 per hour.<BR><BR>FYI, meruk, I got this from doing a search on www.googl.com, using the words "minimum wage waiter". It took less than 30 seconds!

meruk was asking for specific info on the Tampa area. Don't be such a loser wiseass and learn how to spell google! Hey, you can use a search engine, you must be brilliant!!!

The minimum wage in FL for a tipped position is $2.13 per hour. If you do not make at least $5.15 per hour with your tips then your employer must pay a differential. By the time they take taxes out of your check,there won't be anything left. Remember also there are very few labor laws here. You do not ever have to get a break, EVER! ALso you can be forced to work overtime and not be paid overtime. Many restaurants will make you waive overtime pay. You can also be fired at any time for no reason whatsoever no matter how long you have worked there. Florida is a "right to work" state. If you join a union, the union cannot be a closed shop and no union can require employees to be members of the union. THis results in organized labor having no power in this state. If you can find a decent job here then it is a great state, but most jobs here pay substantially less then the west coast or northeast.

Almost every state in the U.S. is a "right to work" state. Almost every state is also an "at-will" employment state too - meaning you can be fired at any time for any reason with or without notice, so long as the reason is not illegal (such as discrimination). The Supreme Court has held that you cannot force employees to become full members of a union - you can have a "union shop" clause but it can only require employees to pay their pro rata portion of the dues used for administering the collective bargaining agreement. Florida is not unique in these respects. I was unaware that the FLSA and Florida overtime laws permitted restaurant employees to waive overtime pay and have not looked at it in that respect. Generally, employers cannot have employees agree to "waive" overtime pay.

As I have a couple of good friends working as successful waiters in Naples, Florida -- I have heard a lot of the "problems" involved. These include one who is required to go in for a four hour "cleaning" day once a month. Although there are no tips during that period, they are still paid the minimum -- just over $2.00 an hour, as mentioned above. Great way for a restaurant to get their major cleaning done at bargain prices. Apparently the restaurant gets away with this as it falls under a category known as "set-up" which is part of a waiter's job description. Why does he put up with this kind of stuff? Because he works about 30 hours a week and takes home well over $1000 in the average week. <BR><BR>Recently one of my friends received a check for nearly $1000 to pay for returning the tips that he was required to pass on to the kitchen staff over the last three years. Apparently while it is common and allowable to tip out the bartenders, runners, and bus help, it is illegal in Florida to require waiters to tip out anyone in food preparation.

Hi jacka$$!<BR>I was not trying to show how brilliant I was (although my mom thinks I am). Just trying to help what sounds like a foreigner to use the internet. Hey I'm learning too! Sorry about the misspelling, meruk. It really is:<BR>www.google.com

Now I can think more clearly after all the great information. I want to ask you one more question if you guys don't mind.I'm married and my wife will be going to school and I don't think she will be working(very busy at school). I know it is all depends on restaurant that I will be working but by working in an average class restaurant,do you think I will be able to support my family(no kid/s yet)? I heard cost of living in Tampa Bay Area is below the nation's average?<BR><BR>What do you guys think?<BR><BR>I'm in San Diego right now and average one bedroom apartment is over $1000 in livable areas. It is just an input.<BR><BR>Thany you all again.<BR>

I am a server in Tampa at a decent restaurant. Dinner prices range from $8-$18. I work 5 days a week, totalling about 30 hours and go to college. I take home about $500-$600 per week and then I get a paycheck of maybe $50. You can get a decent one bedroom apartment for under $600, under $500 if you qualify for a tax-credit community. You should qualify if you are the only one working. You should be able to support yourself if you dont have alot of debt. The cost of living here is lower than the Northeast and California but it is increasing. There is no state income tax, and utility rates are very low compared to CA. Good Luck with your move....

Meruk, my friend has a 1BR apt in St. Petersburg, pays about $575/mo rent in an average apt complex, nicer places go for up to $800...so you will save some money there. I imagine your taxes will be lower here (of course with cash job you will pay less taxes anyway). Try to go for a job in a busy, upscale restaurant. Outback Steakhouse (busy chain restaurant), Salt Rock Grill (Indian Rocks Beach), look on Zagat's website and go for a highly-rated restaurant to apply at. Best of Luck, and welcome to the area!

Hi Michelle and J,and also others,<BR>Thank you all for the input.<BR>2 days ago I applied to SHELLS SEAFOOD RESTAURANT the one is located in CLEARWATER over the internet and in the very same day GM of the restaurant e-mailed me back, and wanted me to call him.I'll be calling tomorrow to discuss the terms.<BR>Do you guys have any idea about that restaurant in Clearwater? Do you think it is a decent restaurant that I can support my family?<BR><BR>I know I'm asking a lot of questions, but I hope you understand my hesitation about moving from CA to FL.<BR><BR>You guy are doing really great job by keeping me informed about the area and I am really appreciated. Thank you all again.

Shells is one of those places that if you get the best shifts you might be able too. But I doubt they are hiring for the prime shifts as those are usually held onto by the staff who have been there the longest.

Ask the GM what shifts you will be guaranteed and what the take home pay is.

You will also want to know what the tip out precedure (how much to the bar, bussers.....).