[flanna.kersting]

I live in TN. We do not have a state minimum wage, so our state goes by Federal Minimum wage laws.


If you make tips, wage starts out as low as $2.13/hr like are restaurants.
Where I work, I make $7/hr plus tips. Though, my boss only reports that we receive $2 to $5 per day in tips.


Minimum wage is currently $6.55, and it is going to go up to $7.25 in July. Now, does my work have the right to still pay me $7/hr, or do they have to pay me at least $7.25/hr now? I have no clue if $2 to $5 a day in reported tips would put us in tip wage laws, or if there is a certain amount in tips that you have to make before you fall into the tip wage laws.


Minimum wage is going up $0.70, so I am just wanting to try and keep my same standard of living, by getting my pay increased to at least $7.70/hr. But by law, it might seem like my work can still pay be $7/hr if they wish.


The same will also go for opening shift. Opening shift currently makes $8.50, which I sometimes work, so that would need to be increased to at least $9.20/hr.