Workers to keep tips.

From today, October 1st 2024.

Better than a hidden service charge.

About time 👏👏👏

I’m sure not all places will comply.
Two of our children worked in restaurants where the owner/manager pocketed all the tips.

I’m really pleased about this, I wonder if the ‘optional service charge’ you have to opt out of being added to the bill will cease, and we can just leave a tip on the table for the staff again.

Casdon

I’m really pleased about this, I wonder if the ‘optional service charge’ you have to opt out of being added to the bill will cease, and we can just leave a tip on the table for the staff again.

If our food has been below par, but our waiter/tress has been excellent DH deducts the service charge from the bill (which is legal) and discreetly hands over a cash tip to the server.

About time.. I really hope owners honour this.. it's so much nicer being able to leave a cash tip on the table..

I've not heard about this, a great idea. We always leave a cash tip in the hope the server will get it.
Was this a quickly implemented Labour measure or a hangover from the Conservatives? Either way when we give a tip it's a gift to the individual not a boost for the boss.

Can't stand the automatic service charge on bills. Hope this new law reverts this practice. Doubt it but will mention it when dining out.

Kim19

Can't stand the automatic service charge on bills. Hope this new law reverts this practice. Doubt it but will mention it when dining out.

Kim19 you can legally ask for the service charge to be removed from your bill.

Absolutely! a tip is always intended for the person who has been attentively looking after diners in a restaurant. Having said that, increasingly the service charge is automatically added it seems, yes I know it could be challenged, but would only do so if the service was really bad, that hasn't happened lately since that's become a rolled out practice. Never say never though!

GrannyGravy13 I know as general thing you can ask for the service charge to be removed, but I have a vague thought that it can be non-removable for groups of a certain number when detailed on the menu/at time of booking. Or am I making that up?

Tips have always been inherently unfair. Who leaves a tip for the chef who cooked the wonderful meal you have just enjoyed?

I'd rather that the whole system of tipping and 'service charges' was abolished and all the staff were just paid a decent wage.

I agree with MaizieD. It's high time this nonsense came to an end.

I agree with MaizieD as well. I feel awkward giving tips - is it too big or is it too small etc etc?. The staff should be paid a suitable wage. What century are we in??????

Spot on MaizieD.

I naively thought that the service charges were divided equally among the serving staff at the end of a shift. And I daresay many of the kitchen staff are under paid too how do they fare?

Currently, winterwhite the manager usually decides on the split (including theirs). I understand they could split it 50/50 kitchen, front of house or 50% bar 20% kitchen ... 30% waiting staff or whatever they felt OK.
The business could take an admin fee off too.

As of today the staff decide on the split and it all goes to the staff.

I admit I always ask how the tip is shared before I pay a restaurant bill. My mother-in-law hates this. I think she finds it "grubby" to ask!

Now, perhaps I won't need to.

Thanks GG. Yes, I did know that but dealing with it kinda takes the edge off a pleasant occasion for me particularly when dining with acquaintances rather than friends or family. Does anyone know if this new law is for the whole of the UK please?

That’s interesting. Our new DiL is a Pastry Chef in London.

ALL their tips are pooled, with kitchen staff getting a small percentage, front of house getting a small share and the remainder going to waiting staff.

They all like this system.

Cossy if they all like it then presumably they will decide to keep it as it is.

A great Conservative piece of legislation. In case anyone thought otherwise.

MaizieD

Tips have always been inherently unfair. Who leaves a tip for the chef who cooked the wonderful meal you have just enjoyed?

I'd rather that the whole system of tipping and 'service charges' was abolished and all the staff were just paid a decent wage.

I completely agree with you. I've never been able to understand why we are expected to tip in some situations and not others.