As of January 1, 2007 our minimum wage has gone up to $6.15/hour. On this date, our restaurant owner had a meeting in which she told us since we make tips (servers) and are, according to her, the highest paid people in her establishment, we dont deserve the raise and we now have to tip her out $1.00/hour to make up for the state increase in our wages? We have found out that this is illegal, but she doesn't care, she's doing it anyway! She has been contacted by the state and has been told to cease and disist.... Anyway, now she has threatened to make us count our tips in front of her or go into our pockets and count our tips herself, to make sure we are claiming 100%. Can she do this?

The last part she CAN do. Has the DOL been advised that she is not complying with the minimum wage law? (This sounds like a kickback; is that what the DOL determined?).