Advise about daughters job

Jakan

Hi everyone. Wondered if anyone knew where my daughter stands with her work. She's 16 and started work waitressing and general cleaning at a very busy restaurant and works long and late hours. She's been there for 4 weeks (working part time) and every night gets told she isn't allowed a share of the tips and they get shared equally between her other workmates doing the same job at the end of each night. She hasnt been getting in trouble at her work and works hard. Other girls that started at the same time as her get their share of tips.
I'm actually really annoyed at the idea that she is being exploited but don't want to query it as she's asked me not to "rock the boat"
I just feel that if I tip at a restaurant, I like to think the person serving me will get a share of that. It seems really unfair that isn't happening and my daughter is feeling really down about it all.
Any advice or anyone know if this is normal procedure in this field of work.?
Thanks

Undervalued

Jakan wrote: »

Hi everyone. Wondered if anyone knew where my daughter stands with her work. She's 16 and started work waitressing and general cleaning at a very busy restaurant and works long and late hours. She's been there for 4 weeks (working part time) and every night gets told she isn't allowed a share of the tips and they get shared equally between her other workmates doing the same job at the end of each night. She hasnt been getting in trouble at her work and works hard. Other girls that started at the same time as her get their share of tips.
I'm actually really annoyed at the idea that she is being exploited but don't want to query it as she's asked me not to "rock the boat"
I just feel that if I tip at a restaurant, I like to think the person serving me will get a share of that. It seems really unfair that isn't happening and my daughter is feeling really down about it all.
Any advice or anyone know if this is normal procedure in this field of work.?
Thanks

I don't know what is "normal" and in any case that is unlikely to change anything if what they are doing is lawful.

Assuming she is being paid at least the national minimum wage for her age then any shared out tips etc would be a bonus. It then comes down to her contractual agreement (which doesn't have to be in writing to be valid). Unless there is an agreement that she gets a certain percentage of the tips then, sadly, she isn't entitled to any. They don't have to treat all staff the same providing they are not discriminating on one of the few legally protected grounds (race, gender etc). So they couldn't lawfully only share the tips among the boys and not the girls but they could, for example, share them amongst staff who had worked there for longer.

Jakan

Thanks for your reply.
Yes, that's my issue. The other girls started on the same date as my daughter and they all get a share of the tips. The manager said last night in front of everyone "she doesn't get tips" and pointed at my daughter. She's hardworking and doing a good job so she's been told. The tips can be generous too (typically a share amounting to £15-25 per night per worker between 4 of them excluding my daughter)
It's her first proper job so she wants to do well.....

sangie595

I know this is stating the obvious, but she needs to ask. There's no legal right to tips, and none of us can explain the system being used. If she has an explanation, then it's possible that might give us something to work with.

phill99

I'd encourage her to get another job. They obviously don't value her.

tacpot12

One of the things your daughter has to learn is that managers do bully staff and do other things that are not right or fair. The only recourse is to leave - the sooner she learns this valueable lesson the better. Ultimately this is her choice, but make it clear to her that you think this is not right and you would fully support her if she wanted to leave. It is also the case that if one unlucky person puts up with it, the manager will get bolder.

The best time to resign is on pay day. :-)

parking_question_chap

Look for another job and pocket the tips in the meanwhile.

DCFC79

Is it part of a national chain of restaurants ?

anamenottaken

Jakan wrote: »

Thanks for your reply.
Yes, that's my issue. The other girls started on the same date as my daughter and they all get a share of the tips. The manager said last night in front of everyone "she doesn't get tips" and pointed at my daughter. She's hardworking and doing a good job so she's been told. The tips can be generous too (typically a share amounting to £15-25 per night per worker between 4 of them excluding my daughter)
It's her first proper job so she wants to do well.....

Are the other girls also 16? If not this could be discrimination on the grounds of age, couldn't it?

alexpg_2

Has she asked for a reason why she doesn't get her share of the tips whilst she doesn't? Is she on trial, or the others on different (permanent) contracts?