Im a server in a hotel bar in CA, which sometimes has special events which are usually “open bar” so free to the guests of the event. The host of the events paid the hotel a lump sum, automatic gratuity was added, then divided between staff working th

Im a server in a hotel bar in CA, which sometimes has special events which are usually “open bar” so free to the guests of the event. The host of the events paid the hotel a lump sum, automatic gratuity was added, then divided between staff working the event. recently, the hotel decided to discontinue including the auto grat on events client invoices , therefore servers would no longer receive a portion of gratuity- instead we now received event pay to $50/hr when working this type of event- regular non event days we still receive minimum wage. Last night i worked an event paying $50/hr, but this event atypically ran a cash bar, so each guest paid for their own drinks, and these guests left us cash and credit tip with their bills. After the event, cash tips were suddenly pulled out of sight- taken away from us before any money was counted, our financial report which shows credit card tips was hidden (we usually can openly review our reports) and we were informed we’d not be receiving any portion of these tips earned because we were being given event pay for this shift. Can my employer really do this? And if these tips were stated as “gratuity” on the receipt the customer signed? Is this legal?