Businesses urged to make tips system fairer
- Emma Eversham 3
Workers union Unite is urging restaurants and hotels to sign a fair tips charter to ensure a fair deal for all waiting staff.
The union has launched a campaign today in conjunction with the Daily Mirror that aims to stamp out some practices that leave waiting staff short, such as companies charging a fee on tips left on credit cards to cover admin costs or widening the number of employees who receive tips.
"Employers in the hospitality industry must ensure that all employees receive a decent living wage with 100 per cent of tips added on top,"said Unite Joint General Secretary Tony Woodley.
"Customers want to see that the tips they leave are going to the hard-working staff who serve them. Our fair tips charter will enable people to tip with confidence."
Last month there were demonstrations outside a branch of Pizza Express in Wimbledon after a member of staff was sacked for speaking out about the company's policy to charge an administration fee for tips put on credit card payments.
So far, Pizza Hut and TGI Friday's have signed the charter and others are being urged to get behind it.
"The union now wants others within the sector to demonstrate their commitment to a fair and transparent tipping system," said Woodley.
Companies signing the fair tips charter agree to:
- Pay all employees at least the minimum wage with 100 per cent of tips added on top as a bonus with no hidden charges
- Reach agreement on how tips are shared with those staff directly affected
- Make no deductions from tips or salaries to cover breakages, till shortages or customer walk-outs
- Make all rules for the distribution of tips and service charges available in writing for staff and customers on request
What are your company's policies on tips and would it make a difference if they signed the fair tips charter?
- Alert members to this item
- Add a comment
- Receive new comments by email
Comments (3)
I've worked in loads of restaurants before that use different tips systems, and none of them have been fair. I don't agree with sharing tips between front of house and kitchen staff, waitresses have to be good-tempered ALL the time, and I've never met a chef in a good mood before! Also, why are waiters bombarded with hidden 'admin fees' and out of our tips! First of all, they shouldnt be hidden, staff should be told about them, and secondly, its OUR money, not the company's! Hands off! A fair system needs to be introduced soon so that management don't rip off its staff.
The charter does seem a bit wishy washy in that it doesnt say if the system Gordon mentioned would be OK, but I think it sounds like a fair way of doing it to me.
My boss wanted to be fair to everyone and share tips between front of house and kitchen staff but as manager front of house I've had a few issues with that because I think my staff should get what they've worked so hard for. Fortunately he's come round to my way of thinking and tips are just shared out among the waiting staff now. The Kitchen works hard but they dont have to face the public and put on a smile all the time when you do waiting, the tips are what keep you going til the end of your shift!
In my restaurant we use a team based system whereby waiting staff don't have specific tables to cover, rather it's a joint effort. Because of this, tips are added to a pot of money that is shared out equally among all waiting staff at the end of service.
Would the new charter cater for this system?
Bookmark with: