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Tips and gratuities

Last updated on September 15, 2026

Gratuities (tips) are paid by customers to the person who served them, in appreciation for the service.

Tip pools

Employers can collect tips in a pool and distribute them to all employees who shared in earning them. Employers can decide:

  • Which employees get a share from the pool
  • How much of a share each employee gets

Employers and tips

Employers cannot withhold tips, or force employees to give up tips, unless:

  • They're pooling the tips
  • They're required by law (for example, a court order to garnish wages)

Employers can only share in a tip pool if they do similar work to the employees who received the tips.

What you can do

If you're having issues at work, find out what you can do:

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References from the Employment Standards Act and Regulation