Is it legal to get paid less than minimum wage at a seasonal job?

If you have to come in early to get ready for a restaurant job do you need to get paid minimum wage for those hours or just the server rate?

• Answer:

  Although state laws may vary, here's the convention. Restaurants will pay you the server rate. They do owe you minimum wage, but it will be on your shoulders to prove that you didn't earn minimum wage for the day.For example, let's say you came in two hours early and worked a six hour shift serving. For simplicity let's say the server rate is $2/hour and the minimum wage is $6/hour. For working eight hours (2 + 6), you need to have earned a total of $48 (8 x $6). You need to have earned $32 in tips ($48 - (8 x $2 = $16)).Here's the ticklish point. You probably don't even want to tell the government that you earned $32, nevermind complain about the server rate. You only pay taxes on what you report. They only require you to report something like 10% or 12%.Most waiters and waitresses keep their mouths shut.