Server fired after getting $10,000 tip

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. (WNDU/Gray News) - A waitress who received a $10,000 tip on a $32 bill last week has been fired from her job.

Linsey Boyd was fired by her employers at the Mason Jar Cafe, according to WNDU.

The tip was made last Monday by a customer who wanted to remain anonymous. He was reportedly in town for a friend’s memorial service and tipped a generous amount of money in honor of his friend.

After Boyd received the tip, she split it between herself and the other servers.

Now, many questions are still unanswered regarding why Boyd was fired. WNDU reports there is much chatter about it on social media, but no one has been willing to be interviewed. Social media posts allude to a wave of toxicity among the wait staff in the wake of the outsized tip.

WNDU spoke with owner Jayme Cousins off-camera, who said she was limited on what she could say because it is a personal matter. She did confirm that she fired Boyd but said it had nothing to do with the tip nor anything to do with what followed the tip.

Despite the controversy, business at the Mason Jar Cafe continued as usual. The parking lot was full, and the cafe was filled with guests waiting to be seated.

Boyd responded to a request for comment with an email saying she “drove out of town this morning to spend time with family and get away.” She also said it had been a rough week.

WNDU also spoke with Boyd’s former husband, who said she is a great mother and is currently upset and taking time away.