BOSTON — The state’s highest court says shop owners can keep tips left for workers if their businesses have “no tipping” policies.
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled Friday that where a no-tipping policy has been clearly communicated to customers, any money left behind as a tip can be kept by the owner or put in an “abandoned change” cup for other customers.
The ruling came in a case brought by current and former employees of a Dunkin’ Donuts franchisee.
The court ruled, however, that if an employer hasn’t communicated a no-tipping policy, then tips left by customers belong to the workers who served them.
The court also found that the state’s Tips Act cannot be interpreted as a requirement that employers must allow customers to leave tips if they want.
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