I think the point here is the employer pools the tips to allocate to a broader class of workers that are not typically "tipped" and thus can reduce overhead by paying less and making up the shortfall by pushing the need for higher tips. I always tip 20% unless the service sucks from the waiter, but I remember when tipping went from 10% to 15% and excused by the fact that the waiters need the increase because of the rise in the cost of living. WTF...They have a built in raise when the restuarant rasies prices due to increased cost and desire for greater profit. This system takes the "tippers" for suckers. I would like all my tips to go to the waiter because I have essentially made a determination on the level of service from that person and the restaurant owner can pay they kitchen crew, bus boys, dishwashers out of the price on the menu and I'll determine if the price is competetive before I come and order. That is the American way.
Commissions and tips are totally different. Commissions are based on an amount that must be paid. Tips are based on the customer's constitutional right to give his money to whom ever he chooses. It's called liberty. If you cannot see a problem with stealing other's property then you have a problem. The problem is customers are tipping employees only to have the business financially benefit itself to the customer's tip through the tip credit. If businesses need to benefit more from their customers then they should raise their prices not steal their employee's tips.
I see a problem with it. When I pay my bill, I already pay the restaurant an overpriced amount for the food, so the owner has been well-compensated. When I give a tip, I do it to thank the service person who helped me, and most certainly could use the money....not to make the owner of the restaurant more wealthy. I never put money in a jar on a countertop (like at Starbucks or somewhere similar) because I don't know to whom that money will go, and I suspect the owner will keep it all.