1. Find out if laws about tips apply to you
Question & Answer
Can I keep tips that I get at work?Ontario's (ESA) has minimum standards that employers must follow. This includes rules about tips.
Read the Ministry of Labour's Industries and Jobs with Exemptions or Special Rules to find out if your job is covered by the ESA and which parts of the ESA apply.
You can also call the Ministry's Employment Standards Information Centre at 1‑800‑531‑5551. For TTY, call 1‑866‑567‑8893.
Federal laws
Some industries are covered by federal laws. These are laws made by the Government of Canada and they apply throughout the country.
The industries include banks, airlines, some trucking businesses, and broadcasting.
Workers in these industries are covered by the Canada Labour Code. Like the ESA, the Canada Labour Code sets out minimum standards employers must follow.
The Canada Labour Code does not have any rules about tips. So your employer might be able to keep some tips for themselves.
If you have an employment contract, read it to see if it says anything about who gets the tips. Your workplace might also have a policy that explains the rules about tips.
