Marriott's 'The Envelope Please' Campaign Sparks Outrage Over Tipping and Wages
Marriott International has sparked controversy with its 'The Envelope Please' campaign, urging guests to tip hotel staff. The initiative has drawn significant backlash, with critics comparing it to notorious PR blunders like New Coke and Netflix's 'Quickster'.
The campaign, which involves in-room reminders, aims to encourage guests to tip hotel staff. However, the move has been criticized for potentially classifying more hotel staff as 'tipped workers', allowing them to be paid the lower 'tipped minimum wage'. This system has been criticized for leading to lower incomes for tipped workers and compliance issues.
Marriott's campaign has faced harsh criticism from editorials, social media, and news outlets. Some guests argue that tipping in hotels is unnecessary or undesirable, leading to heated discussions on the topic. Hotel staff currently make around $19,000 a year, while Marriott posted over $626 million in annual profits. The hospitality industry is facing pressure to raise worker pay and is opposing minimum wage laws.
Marriott International's 'The Envelope Please' campaign has sparked significant public backlash, with critics comparing it to other PR blunders. The campaign aims to encourage tipping of hotel staff but has raised concerns about the two-tier minimum wage system and low incomes for tipped workers. The hospitality industry is facing increasing pressure to address worker pay.
