Employees at the first unionised Apple Store are pushing for a system that will prompt customers to offer a tip at checkout.
Staff at an Apple store in Towson, Maryland, US, is in talks with Apple about an official system that would prompt card-paying customers with a screen upon checking out asking for 3 per cent, 5 per cent, a custom amount, or no tip.
The Coalition of Organised Retail Employees clarified, “we do not see tips as a major way of generating income” but instead wishes to “create an acceptable system that allows the occasional customer the ability to reward our team for their hard work.
Currently, Apple employees who accept tips are fired.
“Apple employees everywhere can tell you that they are already being offered tips by customers regularly, however, if an employee accepted even $1, it would be grounds for immediate termination,” CORE said.
“If a customer insists on leaving you money, as they often do, the money is required to be placed in the safe and goes to the company, not the employees.”
