- Government to tackle shameful tipping practices ensuring tips go to workers
- plans will help 2 million UK workers retain their tips – which can make up a large proportion of income for many hospitality workers
- customers will know tips are going to the worker
All tips are to go to staff under plans to overhaul tipping practices set out by the government Friday 24th September 2021.
Most hospitality workers – many only paid at the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage – rely on tips to top up their income.
Research shows that many businesses that add a discretionary service charge onto customer’s bills are keeping part or all of these service charges, instead of passing them onto staff.
The government is to make it illegal for employers to withhold tips from workers. The move is set to help around 2 million people working in one of the 190,000 businesses across the hospitality, leisure and services sectors, where tipping is common place and can make up a large part of their income. This will ensure customers know tips are going in full to workers and not businesses.
Tipping legislation builds on a range of government measures to protect and enhance workers’ rights. In the past 18 months alone, the government has introduced parental bereavement leave, protected new parents on furlough, and given millions a pay rise through a higher minimum wage.
Labour Markets Minister Paul Scully:
Unfortunately, some companies choose to withhold cash from hardworking staff who have been tipped by customers as a reward for good service.
Our plans will make this illegal and ensure tips will go to those who worked for it. This will provide a boost to workers in pubs, cafes and restaurants across the country, while reassuring customers their money is going to those who deserve it.
Moves towards a cashless society have accelerated dodgy tipping practices, as an increase in card payments has made it easier for businesses to keep the funds.
80% of all UK tipping now happens by card, rather than cash going straight into the pockets of staff. Businesses who receive tips by card currently have the choice of whether to keep it or pass it on to workers.
Today’s plans will create consistency for those being tipped by cash or card, while ensuring that businesses who already pass on tips fairly aren’t penalised.
The legislation includes:
- a requirement to pass on tips to workers without any deductions
- a Statutory Code of Practice setting out how tips should be distributed to ensure fairness and transparency
- new rights for workers to make a request for information relating to an employer’s tipping record, enabling them to bring forward a credible claim to an employment tribunal
Under the changes, if an employer breaks the rules they can be taken to an Employment Tribunal, where employers can be forced to compensate workers, often in addition to fines.
Tipping legislation will form part of a package of measures which will provide protections around workers’ rights.
The government has recently announced a range of initiatives to support the hospitality sector through its first ever Hospitality Strategy. This set out ways to help the sector improve, including making hospitality a career option of choice, boosting creativity, and developing a greener sector.
Background
- Legislation on tipping will be supported by a statutory Code of Practice in partnership with workers and employers to set out the principles of fairness and transparency
- Since 2009 tips cannot be used to count towards minimum wage pay, since a prior voluntary Code of Practice improved the information available concerning the treatment of tipping payments and increase transparency
- workers can call the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) helpline (0300 123 1100) for free, impartial, and confidential advice about rights and entitlements on minimum wage and tipping practices
- see the wider government hospitality strategy for more information
PAYadvice.UK 25/9/2021
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