Real-life MMD: Should I ask to keep my tips?

Fujiko

The first question I would ask is did you know about this rule before you took the job, because if you did its a bit late to start complaining now. More to the point, who decides what constitutes an under-privileged family, who chooses them or are they already known to the proprietors, and where are they going to have their Christmas lunch, because if it is in the pub where you work it is hardly an act of charity. Are the recipients aware of who has paid for their lunch - do they know it is the staff or do the management take all the credit?
Whether the staff are adequately paid or not is not an issue. If they are given tips for good service they should keep them for themselves, unless they voluntarily give them to charity. Perhaps there are other worthy causes they would rather support, but in any case the choice should be their's and not a condition of employment.

LesD

Hmmm....Let's assume weekly pub turnover of £5000, 50/50 food and drink.

That's £125,000 food for a year.

Tips average 5-10%, say 8%. That's £10,000 in the kitty. (Even asuming no tips on the drink content of the bill.)

That would make for a pretty good Xmas party!

milvusvestal

Being asked to is one thing, being told to is another.

Gratuities are in recognition of a service provided by an individual, not for the payment of goods - so the landlord has received his money in exchange for food and drink, and what you get is yours to dispose of. He can't tell you what to do with what is already your property.

If the landlord doesn't like your attitude or reason for keeping tips from his patrons, that's too bad. He can't get rid of you on grounds like those - that would amount to unfair dismissal, and he wouldn't want the aggravation of a civil court case which he would lose.

Another point - he's told you that the money will go to provide a meal for the less fortunate. Firstly, who keeps and tracks the money over the course of the year and, secondly, how do you know whether it doesn't just go to line his pockets tax-free? And how does he determine who's needy and who isn't? Does he know the true finances of those claiming poverty?

Sandiedc

Several issues here, 1stly are you paid more than minimum wage? If you are paid considerably over then forfeiting your tips might be more economical with a wage rise.

My daughter works in a reputable restaurant tips vary from £15-65 per day however she works very long shifts sometimes over 13 hours has no lunch break and earns min wage.

Secondly, how can you guarantee all the money in the jar will be used for this? Is possible they are dipping their hands in?

I'd definitely mention that you're not really happy to donate tips for your hard work.....

jonsue

I hate being told what charity I should support! You should be either be completely free to choose your own or if you feel that way to not subscribe to any. there are literally thousands of people after your money. I get at least 10 a week from various bodies BUT I have my 2 charities I do support and that's it.
No certainly don't feel obliged to put your hard earned tips into a pool you don't wish to support.

hellzbellz

keep your tips and tell your employers to get their charity tax kick backs from fundraising or putting their own money in.

id pocket my tips and if anyone confronted me id tell them to go straight to hell!

P0123

Having experience of working in places where tipping is customary, based on the service received, and voluntary (ie, not inclusive service charge,) the staff NEED their tips to top up their, usually, extremely low pay!
My first job after College was as General Assistant in a small, family-run, Country House Hotel; what an eye opener... I worked all hours, (more than several in the family,) with little time off, (and expected to go down and help if called upon in my time off,) so I was virtually 'house-bound', and was paid a pittance, and if I didn't like the food provided, then go hungry.
The Guests often called me aside to give me a personal tip, as it was all pooled, even the profit-making family took the rest of the tips. On one occasion, a Customer was overheard arguing with the 'daughter' that they didn't want their money going into the family's pool, but solely to me, and I had to be called out of the kitchen to receive it personally. After the Customer left, that tip was immediately taken off of me!
These days, the taxmen even want their share.

I am sure it is illegal for the Management to 'use STAFF'S money for their preferences' - they can organise Charity nights, etc, but not take money that helps incentivise Staff to improve their service.

As for telling Staff to "get a job elsewhere if they don't like it" - obviously that person has not been in that position, or recognised the terrible employment situation that today's job hunters are in.:money:

calypso_rhapsody

Is this spelt out in your terms and conditions of employment or just a practice that has developed? ... if you have agreed to it through accepting the t&cs then you have little grounds for arguing about it but I do think it is wrong - especially if customers are unaware that tips will not go to staff.

A well-run pub/restaurant will ensure that tax is deducted from tips and i believe that HMRC are quite hot on this. Also a well run pub will pay at least minimum wage before tips.

There are arguments for and against the pooling of tips but in general i think it is sensible as it encourages team work with each member of the team from the lowliest washer up to the front of house manager contributes to your experience.

Trix3y

I am happy to leave a tip for good service, as know generally restaurant staff receive low wages.However, I would not want a tip going to a lunch for anyone else without being made aware this was the case, and then having the option of whether I contributed. I feel that staff should not be pressurised into accepting something that has not been properly discussed.

silkcutblue

If it is advertised to customers that tips go to a charity picked by the pub then there's nothing wrong here and, unfort, if you are not in agreement with the policy then get another position somewhere that deals with tips in a way you agree with.

If the public aren't told then that's wrong. If you work for a chain then consider escalating your complaint.

Really, I'd move job. Some times it's not worth the fight.