Is a coworker stealing from me? What should I do?

Question

I am paid an hourly wage plus tips. When a client tips me, it's either on a credit card when they check out at the front desk, or they give me cash in an envelope, handing it to me personally or leaving it at the front desk with my name on it. I depend heavily on these tips. They are about 40% of my income.

Yesterday was payday, and I noticed that I had SIX clients who did not tip me at all during the last pay period. That is highly unusual. As a point of reference, I have had only ten others in the last year.

Do you think someone at the front desk is taking my cash? I love my job, and I don't want to make a scene unless I have a reason to do so. But, as I said, I really need the money. (My husband is in school, and we have 2 kids.) This could be a big nothing, or it could be a big something.

Here are some things that have me thinking:

1. I make more money than the girls at the front desk, so one of them may be justifying theft from me this way. (Conveniently forgetting that the reason I am paid more is that I work very, very hard and go home exhausted.)

2. Most people don't keep track of their tips, or at least, don't appear to do so. I keep careful track of mine at home. Someone could be thinking I would not miss it.

3. As far as I know, there has been no reason to question the integrity of anyone at the front desk, so they are left alone often. There is no security or anyone watching. It would be very easy to take an envelope with my name on it and put it in a purse (kept there at the desk) with no one the wiser. There is no way to prove it.

4. It could be a major coincidence that six clients forgot to tip me in this particular 2 week period. But what are the odds of that?

What should I do???

Answer 1

Maybe wait a little while to see if it carries on, and if it does, then just casually start chatting to the girls at the front desk, and mention that you're really worried about your income, as you're getting fewer tips than you used to, and you're worried that you may not be able to support your family. Don't make it sound like you're begging, just sound quite worried. If they are taking your tips, it'll make them feel guilty, and hopefully they'll stop. Guilt tripping usually works, in my experience.

Hope it turns out okay. <3

Answer 2

Odds are low that you suddenly ran into that many deadbeats.  What is your job?  Is it possible that these were new clients and didn't realize that you would be tipped?

If you spend any time talking to the front desk people usually, you could casually mention that you sure ran into a lot of people this last couple weeks who didn't tip - if someone IS taking your tips figuring you won't miss them, that would at least put them on notice.

I'd give it another two weeks, and if the same thing happens, mention it to your manager.

Answer 3

I have to put my money on her stealing from you.  If you work in an industry where the clients know your tips are a main source of your income, there's no way "6" of them....let me say that again "6" of them won't tip you.  I would set her (front desk person) up.  Have one of your friends come in for service and have them leave a generous tip at the front desk for you and see if it makes it's way to you.  You could also talk to the manager/boss about the situation.  Tell him/her you've been receiving excellent feedback from your customers, but you aren't getting tipped and you don't understand why.  Casually mention that one of your "regulars" told you she'll be leaving your tip at the front desk, but it wasn't there when you went to pick it up.  Also, don't forget to mention that this isn't the first time that this has happen and you were wondering if there any other avenue you should take to get to the bottom of this.

Answer 4

Maybe there is a way to discreetly ask if there were any additional tips or another envelope that accidentally didn't go with yours.  The question should come innocently, as if you are seeking their help in solving the mystery.

If you do this, provide some reasons why you think there must be something missing.  If a specific repeat client or two always tips, but this month didn't (especially if they tip in cash), then that would be a clue to provide.  Also, if your cash tips went down significantly in comparison with your credit card tips, that would be another clue.  Perhaps bring this up with either their team lead/supervisor, or if there is not one, bring it up when several girls are there at the front desk to witness you asking.  I would ask that they look in the drawers and cracks around the front desk, so that it appears your assumption is that it was lost and not stolen.  Ask them to ask the other girls about it as well, when they see them.

You may not ever get the money back from last month, but I bet it would put a stop to any tip stealing now that they know how carefully you track them.  

Answer 5

It may sound cheesy or even against the ethics of your employer, but place a small box with “tips” printed on it.  Make sure it has a lock on it and a key held by someone trusted.  Affix some small envelopes to the box with a pen.  Allow the customers to place the tips in the box.  It may seem like a long way to go to secure what’s rightfully yours but it’s in the best interests of everyone working there.  Besides, you’ve got two kids and husband in school; don’t tell me that every little bit doesn’t help.