The largest union in the UK, Unite, has launched a campaign to stop restaurants abusing the tips paid to staff.
The largest union in the UK, Unite, has launched a campaign to stop restaurants abusing the tips paid to staff.
Lack of transparency means that service charges may be diverted into the firm's takings without the customer knowing, the union has claimed.
Lack of transparency means that service charges may be diverted into the firm's takings without the customer knowing, the union has claimed.
Some firms keep a percentage of every service charge paid, the BBC has learned.
Some firms keep a percentage of every service charge paid, the BBC has learned.
Others, including the Italian chain Carluccio's, expected customer tips to take pay up to the legal minimum.
Others, including the Italian chain Carluccio's, expected customer tips to take pay up to the legal minimum.
A BBC investigation found Carluccio's paid some waiters £3.75 an hour, which is below the minimum wage.
A BBC investigation found Carluccio's paid some waiters £3.75 an hour, which is below the minimum wage.
Restaurant groups were found to hold back a proportion of staff tips, including Pizza Express - which keeps 8% - and The Real Eating Company gourmet food chain in Sussex, which retains 22%.
Restaurant groups were found to hold back a proportion of staff tips, including Pizza Express - which keeps 8% - and The Real Eating Company gourmet food chain in Sussex, which retains 22%.
Staff at one Tootsies restaurant in the home counties complained the company kept 60%.
Staff at one Tootsies restaurant in the home counties complained the company kept 60%.
Both Tootsies and Carluccio's declined to comment.
Both Tootsies and Carluccio's declined to comment.
Administrative burden
Administrative burden
Helena Hudson of the Real Eating Company defended her company's tips policy, saying it reflected the administrative burden of distributing tips among staff.
Helena Hudson of the Real Eating Company defended her company's tips policy, saying it reflected the administrative burden of distributing tips among staff.
"It's a service we provide, which I'd far rather not have to do," she said.
"It's a service we provide, which I'd far rather not have to do," she said.
She denied staff were being ripped off.
She denied staff were being ripped off.
"At least we don't use tips to top up the minimum wage," she added.
"At least we don't use tips to top up the minimum wage," she added.
Unite officials will protest later outside Pizza Express in Wimbledon, south London, against the sacking of a former employee whom they claim was fired for blowing the whistle on the company's tips policy.
Unite officials will protest later outside Pizza Express in Wimbledon, south London, against the sacking of a former employee whom they claim was fired for blowing the whistle on the company's tips policy.
Pizza Express said the man was sacked for mis-representing the company policy, by claiming it profited from the money it deducts from the tips.
Pizza Express said the man was sacked for mis-representing the company policy, by claiming it profited from the money it deducts from the tips.
Do you work in a restaurant? What is your experience on tips?
