Recently in Tips Category

As is AA Gill's wont, he'll do anything except get down to the business of reviewing. This week in his procrastinatory preamble before the main event, he tells us all how bad he is at championing causes before (Westminster politician-like) seemlessly taking credit for the government's recent announcemnt of changes to the law on tipping.

Un-Westminster-politician like, though, he does admit and then revel in the smugness and sanctimony of his words, and thus we are endeared to him once more, before he then slams Ba Shan in Soho into oblivion with a no star review.

A good read...and obviously a cause I identify with, having also been at the forefront of campaigining for waitresses' rights - in my own inconspicuous, back seat way..

Is the completely legal use of non-cash tips to top up workers’ National Minimum Wage (NMW) via the tronc simply good business sense?

A practice that allows employers to reward hardworking restaurant staff by making sure they have a little extra in their pockets if they do their jobs well?

Or, as many believe, is it a dishonest and ethically questionable ploy that rips off a loyal workforce to help line owners’ and shareholders’ pockets at a time when the industry is struggling to get good staff?

Another week, another bit of egg on face for the beloved taxman.

After much delay and following extensive revision, the last ambiguity (hopefully) in the taxman’s reissued guidance on tips from last October has been cleared up.

Thanks to the sizeable balls of one unnamed London restaurant group with able assistance from financial advisory firm Vantis, the practice of topping up staff pay to make or exceed the minimum wage but from a separate tronc payroll to the main wage payroll has been judged perfectly legal.
It’s good news for the industry as it means a host of restaurants in line to be pursued for not paying the minimum wage by the Revenue if the decision went its way are now in the clear and can get on with what they do best, namely running a restaurant and feeding and looking after guests.