So soon we will hear what the Government has in mind for tips - although the smart money says it's likely that topping wages up with cash tips will shortly become a thing of the past. The BHA is adamant that that's going to cost industry jobs at this tough time.
Our readers meanwhile seem split on the practice, with some saying its simply not ethical and others that staff under this regime do alright and aren't being exploited in the main. The unions? Well, lets just say they aren't big fans of using tips to make up wages.
Personally, as a customer I tend to come down on the "unethical practice" side of the argument, or at least I did until I saw some of the maths involved and listened to the defence put forward by the industry.
So is legislation just going to make things worse for employers and staff alike - the old sledgehammer to crack a nut problem, perhaps?
Not fair!
Somewhere, a level playing field should be established. If that playing field is tips on top of minimum wage...then I am for it.
The BHA argues the cost to the industry but the not inconsiderably sized The Restaurant Group seems happy with this approach. I am happy with this approach.
Minimum wage plus tips means happier staff and therefore happier customers surely; happy customers spend more.
Anthony Lloyd
Fallowfields Hotel and Restaurant, Oxfordshire
www.fallowfields.com
I agree with Anthony, it is not fair and there needs to be a sand in the line to bring this practise under control so that service teams receive fair pay.
Tips are tips not salary, they are a diners discretion to reward service not a cost saving exercise, which detrimentally creates diner confusion and uncertainty.