Workers to keep tips.

Dean Russell MP for Watford claims this tipping legislation as his initiative.

Excludes NI.

winterwhite

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?

Many companies share tips. There is now a code of practice that companies must follow, staff must agree to any suggested split and amounts given must be transparent.

ronib

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

Thanks to campaigning by hospitality workers in the Unite union.

We always leave a cash tip, ideally handed to the waiter/hairdresser/driver in person. What happens then is up to them I hope, though I do know some places where the management watch carefully and insist tips are handed over.

When I worked in hotels tips were pooled and shared out each week. Most weeks the tip top-up was considerably more than the wages. I was lucky that I didn’t need to pay for housing at that time but the staff who had normal housing/ food/ family responsibilities depended on those tips to make ends meet.

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.

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

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

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.

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?

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.

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 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?

Spot on MaizieD.

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??????

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

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.

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?

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!

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.