The news comes off the back of an announcement by the Labour party at the Bakers’ Union annual conference.
A spokesperson for the party said that if elected it would seek to introduce legislation to improve workers’ rights with regards to tipping practices; sexual harassment; and the living wage.
It follows Jeremy Corbyn promising that Labour would make it illegal for businesses to take a cut of tips paid by debit or credit card; charge waiting staff to work; or pocket so-called optional service charges.
“Tips should be kept by the staff who earn them, not employers,” says the Labour leader.
“It’s not fair or right that in businesses across the country, hardworking hospitality workers have had their tips pocketed by their bosses under the guise of bogus admin fees, to cover breakages, till shortages or customer walkouts.
“Labour will make it illegal for rogue employers to make deductions from tips, so staff get to keep 100%, and customers know who their money is going to.”
Chief executive of UKHospitality Kate Nicholls says that although the new proposals are positive in theory, they could “place extreme pressures on some employers”, and should be discussed in depth.
“Any increases to the rate of National Minimum or Living Wage must take into account economic pressures and be affordable for employers. Otherwise, the move could easily have the unintended effect of putting people out of work,” says Nicholls.
“We would welcome a chance to discuss these measures with the Labour leader to see how we can secure support for the sector’s employees and the companies that employ them.”
Nicholls adds that the sector is already making a conscious effort to provide transparency and fairness for its workers, establishing tronc systems to encourage fair tipping practices, and working with employee organisations to safeguard staff from sexual harassment.