Continue Reading Emergency Bill Introduced to Change Junk FeesYesterday, Senator Bill Dodd, D-Napa, introduced Senate Bill 1524 which would keep restaurant fees legal so long as they present additional fees “clearly and conspicuously.” This bill would amend Senate
Automatic Gratuity
Service Charge vs. Gratuity and Why It Matters Revisited

Back in 2019, I posted about the difference between a Service Charge, an Automatic Gratuity, and a Gratuity/Tip.
I explained that a service charge is typically a set amount added…
Continue Reading Service Charge vs. Gratuity and Why It Matters RevisitedService Charges vs. Gratuities and Why It Matters
Attention hospitality employers. Is that charge you add to a guest check a service charge (typically a set amount added to a guest check in lieu of a tip)? Or…
Continue Reading Service Charges vs. Gratuities and Why It Matters
California Paid Sick Leave — Yet Another Reason for Restaurants to Abolish Service Charges and Automatic Gratuities
I was presenting to a terrific group of HR Directors at the LA Restaurant HR Association last week, and a question about California’s new paid sick leave requirements came up. …
Continue Reading California Paid Sick Leave — Yet Another Reason for Restaurants to Abolish Service Charges and Automatic Gratuities
Top 10 Lessons for California Employers for 2014
As I was reflecting on lessons learned in 2013 to prepare for the year ahead, I put together a list of my top ten lessons for California employers in 2014…
Continue Reading Top 10 Lessons for California Employers for 2014
Hospitality Industry Reminder: Revisit Automatic Gratuities by Year End
Do your restaurant menus still say “a gratuity of 18% will be added for parties of 8 or more”? How about your room service menus, bar menus for…
Continue Reading Hospitality Industry Reminder: Revisit Automatic Gratuities by Year End