Tipping: Code of Best Practice

Code of Best Practice Principles of Transparency

Businesses participating in this Code acknowledge that the following four principles represent best practice in ensuring transparency in relation to service charges, tips, gratuities and cover charges:

• Businesses will clearly display on their premises prior to the point of purchase or choice their policy relating to mandatory and discretionary service charges, tips, gratuities and cover charges, and make this accessible.
• Businesses will have a process in place to deal with requests from customers about how and to whom all service charges, tips, gratuities and cover charges are distributed, and the level and purpose of deductions.
• Businesses should ensure that workers understand and are able to confidently explain the business' policy on service charges, tips, gratuities and cover charges to customers, or know where to direct customers for further information, and without risk of detriment.
• All workers should be fully informed on the distribution and breakdown of service charges, tips, gratuities and cover charges and the level and purpose of any deductions. Businesses should seek to reach agreement with workers on any change of policy.

© 2009 Crown Copyright