There is some excellent news for anyone connected with an industry where it is traditional to give someone a tip for services.
I only learned relatively recently that it was accepted that people in pubs, restaurants and hotels who receive tips can be paid less than the minimum wage with the difference being made up with the tips they receive.
The benefit of that system was that employers gained and any advantage gained by the employees was stolen from them.
Well, there is good news from 1st October 2009! This is from the UK Government web site, direct.gov.uk
Changes to the law on tips
It will now be illegal for businesses to bring staff pay up to minimum wage levels using tips.
Derek Simpson, Unite joint-general secretary, said:"The Code launched today will help consumers see where the money left for good service is going. Unite wants to see all employers sign up to the Code and ensure that their staff and customers can be confident that staff are treated fairly."
The code of practice will be monitored with a review in one year's time.
See http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_181003
It is a disgrace that the previous situation was ever allowed to exist but now it has gone.
Duncan Williamson
