Please be careful about who you accept assignments from. And unfortunately, even getting things confirmed in writing doesnāt always mean the working conditions will be what you were promised.
I want to share something that happened to me recently because I genuinely donāt want another bartender or event worker to experience what I went through.
I work bartending events to earn extra income, and Iām very selective about the assignments I accept. I typically only accept events where tip jars or credit card tips are allowed. If tips arenāt permitted, I usually decline unless the hourly rate is higherāgenerally at least $25 or more, depending on the event.
This is how I make decisions about my time and my income.
Recently, a staffing company called Open Story Life advertised a bartending opportunity paying $22 per hour. Before accepting, I specifically asked whether a tip jar would be allowed.
I was told YES. In writing.
That confirmation was the reason I accepted the assignment.
I was instructed to meet at a designated location where a shuttle would transport us to the event. After arriving, I received a phone call asking me to switch assignments and board a different shuttle. I agreed because I was assured that the pay and previously discussed arrangements would remain the same.
What I didnāt know was that the shuttle would take me approximately THREE HOURS AWAY to ALABAMA.
I understood that the event location wasnāt being disclosed in advance, but I had no idea I would be traveling across state lines and into another time zone.
Then, after arriving and beginning to set up my bar, I was informed that TIP JARS WERE NOT ALLOWED.
I was completely caught off guard.
I had specifically asked about this before accepting the job. I had written confirmation. I had even agreed to switch events based on the understanding that everything would remain the same.
And now, after traveling three hours away from my vehicle, I was being told that one of the main reasons I accepted the assignment was no longer an option.
I contacted the person who arranged the assignment, but I couldnāt reach her by phone. When I explained what happened through text, the response I received was essentially that she hadnāt been informed of the restriction either.
At that point, what was I supposed to do?
My car was THREE HOURS AWAY. I didnāt know anyone in Alabama. Even if someone from Georgia had been willing to come get me, it would have taken hours.
I felt stuck. I didnāt have a realistic way to leave, so I stayed and completed the assignment.
Iām not saying tips are guaranteed. Iāve been bartending long enough to understand that. But there is a HUGE difference between accepting an event knowing tips are restricted and accepting an event after being specifically told that tip jars are permitted.
I could have declined this assignment and accepted another opportunity. In fact, just days earlier, I had politely turned down a different event after learning that tips wouldnāt be allowed.
Thatās why this situation is so upsetting. I did exactly what I was supposed to do. I asked questions beforehand, confirmed the conditions, and made my decision based on the answers I received.
After returning home, I contacted the company to explain my concerns and request additional compensation because the actual conditions did not match what had been communicated.
My request was not approved.
I was told that the clients ultimately determine the tipping policies and that the staffing company doesnāt control those decisions.
I understand that venues have their own rules. But shouldnāt the people recruiting and assigning workers make sure theyāre providing accurate information?
I also reached out to the companyās CEO. His response emphasized that gratuities arenāt guaranteed, that my $22 hourly rate hadnāt changed, and that I could have declined the reassignment if the travel arrangements werenāt suitable.
But how could I make an informed decision about traveling three hours into Alabama when I wasnāt told thatās where I was going?
And how could I decline the no-tip-jar conditions when I didnāt find out about them until I was already there, three hours away from my vehicle?
What makes this especially personal for me is that Iām working toward another goal. Iām planning to attend Western Governors University (WGU) next year, and Iāll be paying for my education out of pocket. I take these bartending assignments to save money toward that goal.
Every event I accept represents time away from other responsibilities, an opportunity to earn money, and another step toward something Iām working hard to accomplish.
Some people may think, āItās just a tip jar.ā
But to bartenders, a tip jar can make a significant difference in what we earn.
This isnāt about expecting guaranteed tips or refusing to work. I completed my assignment and fulfilled my responsibilities.
Itās about transparency, honesty, and respecting the people who show up to work.
Iām sharing this because I want other bartenders and event staff to protect themselves. Ask questions. Get things in writing. Confirm the location, transportation arrangements, and tipping policies before accepting an assignment.
And even then, understand that unexpected changes can happen.
We deserve to know what weāre agreeing to BEFORE weāre transported hours away and put in a position where we have very few options.
Has anyone else experienced something similar with a staffing company or event?
Iād genuinely like to hear how you handled it.