If my tips were redistributed to other staff members, was this legal?

If my tips were redistributed to other staff members, was this legal?

I was working for a well known coffee shop up until about 6 weeks ago. I moved out of state but left all my contact information. When I inquired about picking up my tips from the biggest holiday of the week of the year (the highest tipping week) I was told that I didn’t pick them up in time so they were redistributed to the other staff members. Other staff members have had lower tips held for them for months and I was not contacted before this was done. Is this legal? Is there anything I can do to recover these tips?

Asked on February 18, 2012 under Employment Labor Law, Virginia

Answers:

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