I was delighted to introduce a new Tips Bill to Parliament recently to ensure workers rightfully receive the tips they are given by customers.

Like so many people, when giving a tip to a member of staff after a meal or haircut I always assumed they get to keep the money, or perhaps share equally with colleagues. Sadly this isn’t always the case and some businesses keep some or all of the tip as part of the payment for the service.

That doesn’t feel right or fair to me that businesses can retain the tips that have been given in good faith by the customers without workers having any say in the matter.

In the past, customers could feel reassured when leaving cash tips because they knew the staff member would see and keep it. I fear that as we move to an increasingly cashless society (which I have more general concerns about for more elderly residents), then staff may not even know they have been tipped.

That is why I have laid down a “Tips Bill” in Parliament to seek a change in law which will formalise an employment law to ban employers from retaining tips which are intended for staff. This would be in the form of an agreement for staff to keep the tips meant directly for them, or to have agreements in place to ensure tips are divided fairly. For example, staff at restaurants may agree tips should also be allocated across all staff including hard-working kitchen team members.

I want to be clear I am not attempting to demonise businesses with the Tips Bill. The vast majority I speak to ensure staff are fairly treated. I am also aware that for some businesses they may need to cover the minimal cost of admin fees for credit card payments. This Bill simply ensures fairness for hard working staff and provides protections again less scrupulous employers.

Ahead of my Second Reading of the Bill I am asking for people to support the Tips Bill via my website. I am also launching a Tips Bill Pledge for local businesses to sign-up to and showcase they are already ensuring their staff are receiving their tips fairly.

If you are a local business or work locally, then please visit my website to find out how you can join the Tips Bill Pledge. I sincerely hope that many businesses across Watford and beyond will have signed up to ensure that the staff receive the tips and showcase our fantastic businesses across Watford.

To find out more visit www.deanrussell.co.uk/TipsBill and my email address is dean@deanrussell.co.uk

  • Dean Russell is Conservative MP for Watford