Cash gift legally mine? Advice please!

mishelfish

Hello,

I used to work in a casino and we weren't allowed to accept tips or gifts of any kind. However, one generous customer gave me and my (now ex) partner 150 pounds as we were expecting a baby. The casino took the money from him and have been holding in their cash desk ever since refusing to give it to us because it was a gift.
Two and a half years later i have just remembered about it, and was reminded by my ex who still works there and i am wondering if i can legally go and claim it now as i no longer work there and havent done for two and a half years. It would be really useful as my son needs a new bed and the money was originally intended for him! I just want to check my rights because the manager is refusing to even talk to my ex about it but i am thinking of going there myself to get it and dont want to get bullied away Does anyone know if i can?
Thanks!

lufcgirl

Do you reckon the reason the manager is being so defensive about it because they've took it?

LinasPilibaitisisbatman

Or maybe they just have better things to do with their time.

Your contract will have barred you from accepting gifts so you have no claim to that money. Certainly were the money ended up is an intriguing question but regardless you wont get a hold of any cash yourself.

Smickan

If it was taken and held in the cash safe because you couldn't accept gifts.... what exactly where they going to do with it, just keep it forever? Sounds daft

Did they tell you anything at the time?

Valli

casinos and bingo halls are very clear about employees accepting 'cash gifts' or 'tips' as it could be perceived as a bribe...
so when I worked at the Bingo and had a tax form to fill in I told them that it was company policy not to permit staff to receive tips and that was why I didn't declare tips. HMRC were happy with that.
Casino SHOULD have returned it to the donor.

Tozer

On the basis that you no longer work there, I would say there is a good argument that it is now claimable by you as the intended beneficiary.

mishelfish

I think they said that they were going to look into it as to whether we could get permission to receive the money but they never got back to me. I left on maternity leave not long after and sort of forgot about it. The cash is still in the safe or, at least, on the computer so still technically there, a friend is still working there and has been keeping an eye on it.
It does seem silly for it to just sit there doing nothing, the manager is such a difficult man to deal with, he has said recently to my ex that he was going to look into it, because they are allowed to accept tips now, but he still hasnt done anything. I might go down there and demand it, i really cant think of any reason why i shouldnt be allowed it especially as i have just remebered that casino staff are allowed tips now, just not personal big tips like that, but im not staff so...
sorry, i guess i just needed to sound off....!! Will try my luck i think....

artbaron

Problem is, it's not their money. Strictly speaking it should be given back to the donor. However, under the terms it's not yours either, even after you leave. Obviously, if casino workers believed they could be gifted money for collection when they left the job then you might as well allow them to take gifts whilst they're still working there, especially with the interest rates as they are.

Hailz86

Always worth a try but I would say you have no legal rights to actuially claim it back x

BillTrac

Have you told the donor that the Casino has kept his gift to you?

If not he may think you have had it and spent it. He would possibly be in a better position(no pun intended) to sort this out. Even if it means he gets his money back and then gives it to you..if he still wants to.

How was the money originally given to you, and how did the casino get hold of it?

el_gringo_3

Can you tell us the name of the casino?

There are a lot of people out there (me included) who won't step foot in a place where staff can't keep tips or tips are used to make up wages.