In a tip pool, some or all tips go into one pot and are divided by a formula, such as hours worked or points per role. A required tip-out works the same way under the law.
Federal rules since 2018: the employer, managers and supervisors may not keep any part of employees' tips. If your employer takes a tip credit, the pool may include only workers who customarily and regularly get tips, like servers, bartenders, bussers and runners. If the employer pays everyone the full minimum wage and takes no tip credit, the pool can also include cooks and dishwashers.
Some states are stricter. Massachusetts and New York never allow kitchen staff in the pool, and Minnesota does not allow an employer to require tip sharing at all. See how tip pools work.
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