Is a waiter liable for a $300 tab if restaurant patron walks out without paying?

[Tilda]

Is a waiter responsible for an unpaid restaurant tab if the patron walks out without paying?

[cbg]

I'm not where I can check Michigan laws specifically, but most states will not allow the employee to be held financially responsible for a walk-out. That doesn't mean you can't be reprimanded or disciplined; just that you can't have the money deducted from your pay.

[Pattymd]

No, they cannot, "without the full, free, and written consent of the employee, obtained without intimidation or fear of discharge for refusal to permit the deduction."
Here it is, directly on point:
http://www.michigan.gov/cis/0,1607,7...3344--,00.html

[cad]

Can an employer request/require the payment of a "walk out" tab in a manner other than docking hourly wages? Eg. Can an employer require that a waitress pay out of her cash tip earnings?

[Pattymd]

Well, they can ask, but you don't have to do it, and it would be against the law for the employer to deduct it from your pay if you don't agree to it.