As I wrote about recently, on March 23, 2018, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 signed by President Trump changed federal law on the issue of tip pools and allows employers to share tips with back of the house employees.  In connection with the new law, the Department of Labor issued a memorandum this week further explaining the law.  Of importance to California employers, the DOL’s memo sets forth that:

In the meantime, given these developments, employers who pay the full FLSA minimum wage are no longer prohibited from allowing employees who are not customarily and regularly tipped—such as cooks and dishwashers—to participate in tip pools. The Act prohibits managers and supervisors from participating in tip pools, however, as the Act equates such participation with the employer’s keeping the tips.

The full Field Assistance Bulletin NO. 2018-3 can be read here.

My prior article setting forth common issues for California employers in regards to tip pools can be read here.

In addition, I recently posted a video explaining some tip pooling issues facing California employers: