Legally speaking, baristas can be treated as tipped wage positions so long as the tips they accumulate earn them in excess of the minimum wage. Putting out a tip jar absolutely does mean their hourly wage can be cut. And thanks to common wage-theft practices by employers and negligence by local prosecutors, an employee who falls under the minimum wage has an uphill battle to recover the difference.
https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/wages/wagestips
Legally speaking, baristas can be treated as tipped wage positions so long as the tips they accumulate earn them in excess of the minimum wage. Putting out a tip jar absolutely does mean their hourly wage can be cut. And thanks to common wage-theft practices by employers and negligence by local prosecutors, an employee who falls under the minimum wage has an uphill battle to recover the difference.