Key facts
- A former waiter at the Metropolitan Mayfair casino has filed a complaint with an employment tribunal.
- The complaint alleges unfair distribution of cash tips and service charges, with management allegedly receiving a larger share.
- The casino is owned by US investment firm Silver Point Capital.
- New legislation requires employers to share 100% of service charges and card tips with workers transparently.
- The Unite union has criticized draft guidance on the new tipping legislation.
- The former waiter also alleges wrongful dismissal after questioning the tip distribution policy.
A former waiter at the Metropolitan Mayfair casino has initiated legal action, alleging that he did not receive a fair share of tips and service charges. The complaint, filed with the employment tribunal in London, claims that management, including senior staff, received a disproportionately larger share of both cash tips and the mandatory 12.5% service charge added to bills. The former employee, who worked at the casino for five years, stated that the company refused to provide details on how the service charge was distributed, preventing him from verifying its fairness and transparency.
New legislation implemented in October 2024 mandates that employers in Britain must distribute 100% of service charges and card tips to workers in a fair and transparent manner, with employees having the right to know how these allocations are made. However, the former staff members indicated that the process at the casino was opaque, with payslips not detailing the calculation of service charge or mentioning card tips. They also noted that managers typically took an equal share of cash tips, which they considered unfair given their higher basic salaries and less direct customer interaction.
The Unite union, representing hospitality workers, has criticized the government's draft guidance on the new tipping legislation, arguing it allows employers to bypass workers' concerns as long as a consultation process is followed. Union General Secretary Sharon Graham emphasized that workers should have control over their own tips.
A spokesperson for the casino stated that the company does not benefit from employee tips and that allocation arrangements are determined independently and in accordance with legislation. They expressed confidence that their policies and procedures comply with all legal and regulatory requirements. The former waiter also alleges wrongful dismissal, claiming he was dismissed after questioning the distribution of service charges and card tips, a claim the company disputes, stating he was dismissed for allegedly keeping a large cash tip himself.