📺 Stream EntrepreneurTV for Free 📺

A Unionized Apple Store Wants Customers to Start Leaving Tips for Employees Will there soon be a tip jar at the Genius Bar?

By Emily Rella

entrepreneur daily
Getty Images
Customers look over products in an Apple store on May 04, 2023 in Miami, Florida.

Companies like Starbucks have been under fire from customers after implementing systems that ask for a tip while employees can still see their screens, creating a potentially awkward situation should the customer decide not to leave a gratuity.

Now, Apple could soon be following suit. Employees at a unionized store in Maryland added an automated tipping system to its list of demands, per Bloomberg.

Related: 'Tip Culture Is Getting Insane': Starbucks Customers Furious Over Company's New Tipping System

"Apple will integrate a tipping option at the end of all credit card transactions in-store. It will say: no tip, 3%, 5%, custom amount," the proposal reads. "This will allow thankful patrons the ability to express gratitude for a job well done without any obligations. All monies collected through this manner would be dispersed to members of the bargaining unit biweekly based on any hours worked."

Though the proposal didn't clarify which transactions would ask for a tip, the request could include all transactions, whether it's one-on-one help at the Genius Bar or a simple product purchase.

Related: An Apple Store in Maryland Is the First to Unionize in the U.S.: 'We Did It Towson!'

The store, located in Towson, Maryland, was the first to successfully unionize in June 2022. Workers sought better compensation, working conditions, and COVID-19 safety precautions.

Entrepreneur has reached out to Apple for comment.

Apple was up just shy of 12% in a one-year period.

Emily Rella

Entrepreneur Staff

Senior News Writer

Emily Rella is a Senior News Writer at Entrepreneur.com. Previously, she was an editor at Verizon Media. Her coverage spans features, business, lifestyle, tech, entertainment, and lifestyle. She is a 2015 graduate of Boston College and a Ridgefield, CT native. Find her on Twitter at @EmilyKRella.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

These Coworkers-Turned-Friends Started a Side Hustle on Amazon — Now It's a 'Full Hustle' Earning Over $20 Million a Year: 'Jump in With Both Feet'

Achal Patel and Russell Gong met at a large consulting firm and "bonded over a shared vision to create a mission-led company."

Business News

These Are the 10 Most Profitable Cities for Airbnb Hosts, According to a New Report

Here's where Airbnb property owners and hosts are making the most money.

Side Hustle

How to Turn Your Hobby Into a Successful Business

A hobby, interest or charity project can turn into a money-making business if you know the right steps to take.

Productivity

Want to Be More Productive? Here's How Google Executives Structure Their Schedules

These five tactics from inside Google will help you focus and protect your time.

Starting a Business

This Couple Turned Their Startup Into a $150 Million Food Delivery Company. Here's What They Did Early On to Make It Happen.

Selling only online to your customers has many perks. But the founders of Little Spoon want you to know four things if you want to see accelerated growth.