Bill’s tip dipping

Bill’s restaurant is the latest chain to be accused of keeping tips left for waiting staff by customers.

Bill’s is one of the fastest growing restaurant chains. It has 67 restaurants across the UK and made a ÂŁ7.7m profit last year.

The chain automatically adds a 12.5 per cent service charge to every bill – but instead of going to staff this is said to be held by the company.

“It is the ultimate kick in the teeth for customers and staff alike, if restaurants are allowed to dip into tips and the service charge without a shred of transparency of how the money is being used or who is benefiting from it,” said Rhys McCarthy, Unite national officer.
According to an ex-employee even when diners leave additional cash it doesn’t go to waiters.
Outrageous

“It’s outrageous that restaurants like Bill’s appear to be pocketing this money which hardworking staff rely on to top up their meagre wages,” added Rhys.

The ex-employee, who worked at the Norwich branch said waiting staff on 30p above the ÂŁ6.70-an-hour minimum wage have to give tips of up to ÂŁ100 a shift to the company.

Chantal Chegrinec, Unite’s campaign’s officer for the fair tips campaign told UNITElive that more needs to be done to ensure that tipping systems are fair and transparent.

“We are urging the business secretary not to let unfair tipping practices blight the UK hospitality industry,” she said.

“He needs to understand that the only fair way forward is to takes steps to ensure tronc schemes operate in a fair, transparent and ethical manner and to let staff keep 100 per cent of their tips, no deductions, no excuses.”