Is this legal?

Ahahah_2

HI, Maybe someone out there knows the answer. I work at a celebrity chef's restaurant, and since this January they have began to make waiting staff pay the menu price for any mistakes they make. I can't check if this is in our terms of contract because I have never seen my contract (and nor have many other employees). It does not seem right to me, if the kitchen is feeling the pinch I am happy to pay cost price, but menu price? any advice? Thanks.

sillylittlejill

I'm sorry, don't have any idea apart from when I worked in a morrisons cafe, I broke an egg yolk whilst making a breakfast and the manager told me I would have to pay for it if I did it again. That was my 2nd day and I was hired as a waitress.
I'm sure you are well within your rights to look at your own contract, surely you got a copy?? I thought everyone did that, the 2 jobs (!) I have had, I got a copy of the contract! I would ask whoever is in charge of HR about that.

sorry if this isn't much help, didnt want to read and run

xx

Fran

The ACAS website says:

Most employment contracts do not need to be in writing to be legally valid, but writing down the terms of the contract will cut down on disagreements later on. The Employment Rights Act 1996 requires employers to provide most employees with a written statement of the main terms within two calendar months of starting work.

davetrousers

How much potentially could a mistake cost you?

gaz_jones

In a celebrity chef resaurant I would imagine a fair lump of that evenings pay.

Ahahah_2

one mistake in 6 months: £36.00

pogofish

Then I presume you could do what a diner given duff food woud be entitled to. Make them an offer for the real value of the food & say "sue me" for the rest.

janey_uk

You could put it in writing that you want your formal contract and that you do not accept liability for costs without one. If they do steal the money from your salary (cos that's what they will be doing - you can't have agreed to this T&C if they have not issues a contract) I would go to the papers. I think the tabloids would like a story about how a millionaire celebrity chef steals from hardworking staff to subsidize their lifestyle, like they've never burnt a sausage. That is if you don't want the job anymore!

geri1965_2

I'd love to know which restaurant this is.

bristol_pilot

1. Leave.
2. Name and shame.

Ahahah_2

Would love to do that, but can't right now. Watch this space!