Who do you think should pay?

I think this should be paid by the employer. They couldn't sell liquor unless their employees have this certification. When I worked in insurance, the state required that agents have an agents license, and customer service reps have a CSR license. Our employer paid for them so they could stay in business.

If it was one like described that could be used for other employers through out the state etc... then I would say it should be your responsibility. If it is only good for your current employer, then I think they should have to pay or at the very least pay half.

Keep a record of any expenses required for employment- they may be deductible from your taxes.

Originally Posted by TooOlduvai They couldn't sell liquor unless their employees have this certification.

True that! They threatened to pull our Liquor License on Thursday if we didn't all have our cards

My husband works for a casino in food & beverage. Background checks, gaming licenses, liquor and food handler permits - all that is the employee's responsibility. However, my husband's employer pays the costs for the employee and then collects back from employee via instalment deductions from their paychecks over a period of time.

In your case, I think that is something employers there should consider doing for their employees. Especially for employees like you who've been an employee there for so long.

Originally Posted by greeneyes37 True that! They threatened to pull our Liquor License on Thursday if we didn't all have our cards

So this is a requirement for your employer. Do they pay a higher wage for people who serve liquor?

I've never been in that kind of job, but I would hope my employer would pay for it, or at least offer, or pay 1/2 or something. I would say I don't have the money and see if they'd pick up the tab. If they didn't, I'd have to have another plan.

Originally Posted by TooOlduvai So this is a requirement for your employer. Do they pay a higher wage for people who serve liquor?

Yes, they do pay the bartenders a higher wage than servers

If it's any consolation.. it will be a tax write off for you!

If you are full time with the company AND for 7 years, I would think they would want to pay for it.. but I'm sure in the industry there's alot of turnover? you (or someone else) could just pick up and leave after the company pays the fee, no?

Think of it as an investment in your future and perhaps look for a company that is more loyal to their employees {{wink}}

See, this is what bothers me about a company that requires you to do something that costs $$ to work there. Whether it's the bar card, drug screening, fingerprinting, background check, etc. If some of the people had the extra $$ to pay for all of these expenses, then why would they need a job? Some people DON'T have the money to pay for the requirements and it hurts their chances of getting a job.

In California, every company I worked for paid for my background check, fingerprinting, and drug screening to work with children. Out here, they make the person applying for even a minimum wage, part time or subbing job pay for everything. Daycares and preschools anyways, not sure about elementary school jobs..I would if they'd call to interview me...

My husband has been lucky though. All of his physicals and drug sceeners have been paid by his employers.

if you want to be a cab driver in our nearest city , the driver takes the test and PAYS for it
he has to go to the doc and provide proof that he's fit, and he pays for that piece of paper as well
HE ALSO pays for his special license
he can drive ANY cab he wants, he can lease one, buy one, or just drive for an owner
totally up to him
BUT if HE wants to be a cabbie, HE will be paying for that stuff

if he wants to drive in another CITY, he will have to get another license from THAT city


pretty simple
same with your job

It would be nice if the company paid at least half of it, for long-time employees.

Originally Posted by greeneyes37 True that! They threatened to pull our Liquor License on Thursday if we didn't all have our cards

So you were notified on Monday and only have until Thursday to get the card? I imagine this will be a hardship on some people to not only come up with $100, but in 3 days. Sounds like your company has poor management and isn't really thinking of the workers (unless the city finalized the license requirement and decided it must be implemented the same week all on Monday, which is doubtful).

It's not really any different than my husband, a commercial truck driver. He has to pay extra fees for that CDL, as well as hazmat certification. But...he can use that license anywhere in the US for any commercial driving/hazmat position.
As for the fees, everybody wants a piece of the pie, especially the government.

I had to have a license to serve liquor and I paid for my own. However, mine was good statewide and it was far cheaper than that (about $20 and it was good for two or three years). While in a situation like yours I would appreciate the employer paying at least part of it due to the cost, I can see why they wouldn't. There is just such a high turnover in food service that they could end up out of a lot of money paying to license people who quit the next day.

Originally Posted by RainGypsy It would be nice if the company paid at least half of it, for long-time employees. So you were notified on Monday and only have until Thursday to get the card? I imagine this will be a hardship on some people to not only come up with $100, but in 3 days. Sounds like your company has poor management and isn't really thinking of the workers (unless the city finalized the license requirement and decided it must be implemented the same week all on Monday, which is doubtful).

Actually, I was notified yesterday @ 5 PM and told I needed to get it today (Tuesday) because I was on schedule today. This WAS a hardship for quite a few and even a greater inconvenience, time wise, for those with other jobs/small children.

Our company was told 2 years ago that this ordinance went into effect, but I suspect political influence had some play in our not having it enforced (but that's a story for another day)