That’s a possible outcome of new rules coming into force on October 1 according to the British Hospitality Association.

It’s a move that is predicted will cost the industry £60 – 130 million (depending on whose figures you believe) and as many as 5,000 jobs. The rules will make it illegal for establishments to use the tips to top up waiting staff’s wages (often to the national minimum) and also means that waiters and waitresses will now pay National Insurance on their full wage.

General industry opinion seems to be that 80% of employers already allow staff to share tips on top of their wages and that rogue operators will just continue to buck the system and there’s nothing in the rules that compels them to pass the tips on to the staff.

You and your job

In the cold light of day, if you’re a waiter or waitress what can you do to help safeguard your job? You may think not a lot but maybe you’d like to check out the following that might help yoiu hang on to your job:

• Could you be part of the solution rather than the problem: Are you an asset to your employer?
• Do you turn up to work on time?
• Do you always make an effort with your appearance?
• Do you look as though you’re happy to be there?
• Do you anticipate tasks rather than waiting to be asked or told to do them?
• Do you make each customer feel valued?  A friend and his wife dined once a week at a great restaurant, regularly spending £100 on their meal – until they were refused a table on Valentine’s Day – they boycotted that restaurant for a year: Over £5,000 of potential custom down the drain

In tough times any employer will keep the best and ditch the rest… so why not be the best?