Civil and Human Rights Coalition Urges Labor Department to Allow Workers to Keep their Tips

WASHINGTON – Today, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights submitted comments to the Department of Labor (DOL) in response to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to rescind portions of tip regulations DOL issued in 2011 pursuant to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The Leadership Conference noted the proposed rule deviates from DOL’s longstanding position, threatens the economic security of millions of working people and their families, and will have a disproportionate impact on women – particularly women of color.

These comments were submitted after reports last week that DOL purposefully hid critical pay data on the impact of the NPRM. Some estimates show that this proposed rule change would take billions of dollars away from tipped workers and put them into the pockets of employers.

“We strongly urge the department to withdraw the proposed rule, and instead promote policies that will improve economic security for people working in low-wage jobs and empower all working people with the resources they need to combat sexual harassment in their workplaces,” said Vanita Gupta, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference. “This proposed rule means that many workers may not see the money they have earned, while employers would be able to line their pockets. Moreover, the proposed rule exacerbates the vulnerability to sexual harassment faced by women and LGBTQ workers in tipped jobs.”

The Leadership Conference’s comments are available here.

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 200 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.