Can an employer hold my tips?

Question

Is it legal in Virginia for an employer to hold the tips my customers left for me if "the drawer is short on cash"? I am not in a position to "loan" my employer money for the drawer and I certainly did not agree to let them hold MY earnings...tips or anything else.

Answer 1

As far as I'm aware, it is not legal for an employer to intercept your wages, tips, or awards due to a shortage of the register, unless then can prove that it is due to theft, gross negligence, or gross incompetence, at which time they should terminate your employment with the company.

However, on the darker side of things... if you complain, and force them to give you the money they owe you, they might decide to terminate you for "unknown, but unrelated reasons)