GMB Publish New Charter To Make Workers And Consumers Aware Of Their Rights In The Code Of Practice On Tips
Wednesday 3rd March 2010
GMB Publish New
Charter To Make Workers And Consumers Aware Of Their Rights In The
Code Of Practice On Tips
Many are unaware that the new code covers sectors like casinos,
hairdressing and private car hire as well as catering and that
employers are obliged to display tips policy
GMB today published a new Charter on Tips which the union hopes
will raise awareness of consumers and workers on their rights to
know the tips policy that is followed in each establishment. This
new charter is available on the GMB website and is set out below
separately for workers and consumers in Notes to Editors below
GMB worked with the Government and others to formulate the Code
of Practice on service charges, tips, gratuities and cover charges
which came into force in October 2009. This required employers to
clearly display their tips policy. GMB has also worked with
Government on new information leaflets for workers and consumers.
See links below. GMB is currently in discussions with the Gambling
Commission on this matter to ensure that casino workers and gaming
staff get tips in line with the code.
Paul Kenny GMB General Secretary said “This new GMB
Charter on Tips should help to raise awareness of consumers and
workers as to their rights when it comes to the code of practice on
service charges, tips, gratuities and cover charges.
GMB welcomed the more transparent practices on tips when
the new code was published last year. GMB urged all businesses in
the tipping sectors to adopt this code of practice and clearly
display their tips policy so consumers have a real
choice.
Many customers are still unaware of the new rules as
many employers are still not displaying their policy on tips. Some
employers are actually ignoring this new code – and some are even
threatening employees who ask about their policies with dismissal.
Many are unaware that the new code covers sectors like casinos,
hairdressing and private car hire as well as catering.
When a consumer pays a tip they need to be confident
that the money will go to the workers delivering the service. We
have some way to go before we get there.”
End
Contact: Ida Clemo on 0208 947 3131 or GMB
Press Office, Rose Conroy on 07974 251823 or Steve Pryle on 07921
289880.
Notes to Editors:
1 These are the texts of the two charters
GMB CHARTER FOR FAIR TIPS(GUIDE FOR CONSUMERS)
GMB have campaigned for ALL employees who rely on tips to be
paid at least the National Minimum Wage and then receive tips on
top of this. Regulations now have been changed but we need to
ensure that these are being used correctly. As a customer, we are
sure that you would want to make sure that any tips you leave go
directly to the person who has looked after you or given you good
service. Just follow these simple steps:
LOOK! Before you go to eat in a restaurant, go into a Casino, or
go to the hairdressers you should be able to see the tips policy,
how tips are distributed and whether service charges are mandatory
or discretionary. (This should be clearly visible and written on a
menu or displayed in a prominent place.)
DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK! The restaurant/ establishment when you
go in to sho you written information on their tips policy. (There
is a Code of Practice that says there should be a written statement
and all staff should be able to direct customers to this)
ASK! Whether 100% of your tips go to the workers or whether
there are any deductions made – some employers charge an
“administration fee”
ASK! If you hadn’t seen any information outside or on the menu,
ask again before you pay (you should be fully informed or shown
where to see the information)
ASK! If cash and card tips are treated differently (sometimes
there is an admin fee retained by the employer for credit cards but
if so you should be told about this)
IF IN DOUBT, PAY TIPS IN CASH DIRECT TO THE PERSON WHO SERVED
YOU OR CONTACT CONSUMER DIRECT HELPLINE ON 08454 040506
GMB CHARTER FOR FAIR TIPS(GUIDE FOR WORKERS)
National Minimum Wage is the minimum amount that UK workers
should be paid (currently £5.80 per hour). GMB have campaigned for
ALL employees who rely on tips to be paid at least the National
Minimum Wage and then receive tips on top of this. National Minimum
Wage Regulations have been changed from 1st October 2009 to this
effect but we need to ensure that these are being used correctly.
GMB members earn on average 12.5% more than non union members.
Only by being a GMB member and having GMB behind you can you be
sure that your employer will take notice of the law and you could
be on the path to higher wages. Join
online or phone 020 8947 3131 for an application form. Just
follow these simple steps
LOOK!
- Does your employer clearly display their tips policy outside
the premises or in a prominent place?
- Has your employer explained the tips policy to all staff?
- Have you been given a written statement on how tips are
distributed, if there are any deductions, if there are any tronc
arrangements and what happens during any leave?
DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK:
- Do you understand the process for distributing tips? especially
if English is not your mother tongue
- Ask about what happens when you are questioned or challenged by
customers (you are not expected to explain the policy but you
should be able to direct customers where to go for more information
and you certainly should not feel threatened by your employer if
you explain the policy)
IF IN DOUBT, CONTACT GMB OR CONSUMER DIRECT HELPLINE ON 08454
040506
If you think you are not being paid correctly, contact the FREE
Pay and Work Rights Helpline: 0800 917 2368 for advice or to make a
complaint. Calls are in confidence. Further information on the Code
of Practice and the Minimum Wage from www.gmb.org.uk/nmw or www.direct.gov.uk/nmw
2 These are the useful links
The Government website which is live from today is www.whogetsthetip.com/ this
contains a link to the Government Code of
practice worker leaflets and Q&A