Restaurant Server and Host Course (UK): Tips, payments, side work and teamwork

1. Question 1 of 16

   Since 1 October 2024, what does the tipping law require employers in Great Britain to do with qualifying tips?

   • APay them only to managers
   • BUse them to top up wages to the National Minimum Wage
   • CKeep half for business costs
   • DPass them on to workers in full, without deductions
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Pass them on to workers in full, without deductions

   The Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023 and its code say tips must be passed on without deductions, apart from very limited exceptions such as income tax.

2. Question 2 of 16

   Which parts of the UK does the statutory tipping code apply to?

   • AEngland only
   • BScotland only
   • CEngland, Scotland and Wales
   • DThe whole UK including Northern Ireland
   Show answer

   Answer: C. England, Scotland and Wales

   The code applies in England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland has separate employment law.

3. Question 3 of 16

   Are service charges covered by the tipping law?

   • AOnly service charges under 10%
   • BNo, only cash tips are covered
   • CYes, both voluntary and automatic service charges can be qualifying tips
   • DOnly service charges paid in cash
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Yes, both voluntary and automatic service charges can be qualifying tips

   Qualifying tips include tips, gratuities and service charges that the employer receives or controls, whatever the payment method.

4. Question 4 of 16

   A guest leaves a tip on a card on 23 June. By when must it reach staff?

   • ABy 30 June
   • BWhenever the employer decides
   • CBy 31 December
   • DBy 31 July
   Show answer

   Answer: D. By 31 July

   Tips must be paid out no later than the end of the month after the month the customer paid. The code uses this exact example.

5. Question 5 of 16

   Which tip is NOT covered by the tipping law?

   • ACash tips the manager collects and shares out
   • BA tip added to a card payment
   • CA service charge on the bill
   • DA cash tip a server keeps with no involvement or control by the employer
   Show answer

   Answer: D. A cash tip a server keeps with no involvement or control by the employer

   Cash tips kept by the worker with no employer control are out of scope. Tips the employer controls are covered.

6. Question 6 of 16

   Does the tipping law say every worker must get the same share of tips?

   • ANo, but the split must be fair and based on clear factors
   • BYes, all shares must be equal
   • CNo, the employer can choose any split it likes, with no reasons
   • DYes, but only for part-time staff
   Show answer

   Answer: A. No, but the split must be fair and based on clear factors

   Fair does not mean equal. Factors can include role, hours worked, performance or seniority, as long as they are fair and not discriminatory.

7. Question 7 of 16

   How long must employers keep tipping records?

   • AOne year
   • BTen years
   • CThree months
   • DThree years from the date each tip was paid
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Three years from the date each tip was paid

   Records of tips received and each worker's allocation must be kept for three years.

8. Question 8 of 16

   How often can a worker make a written request to see the tipping record?

   • AOnce a week
   • BOnce in any three-month period
   • COnly after they leave the job
   • DOnce in their whole employment
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Once in any three-month period

   A worker may make one written request in a three-month period. The reply shows the total tips and their own share, not other workers' amounts.

9. Question 9 of 16

   Can tips be used to make up a worker's pay to the National Minimum Wage?

   • AYes, if the worker agrees
   • BYes, on busy weekends
   • CNo, tips do not count towards the minimum wage
   • DOnly for workers under 18
   Show answer

   Answer: C. No, tips do not count towards the minimum wage

   Tips cannot be used to reach the minimum wage rate.

10. Question 10 of 16

    You keep cash tips that customers hand you directly. What does HMRC say about tax?

    • AThey are always tax-free
    • BBoth Income Tax and National Insurance are always taken off at the till
    • CIncome Tax is due and you must tell HMRC, but National Insurance is not
    • DYour employer pays all the tax
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Income Tax is due and you must tell HMRC, but National Insurance is not

    Tips paid straight to you are taxable. You report them to HMRC, and National Insurance is not payable on them.

11. Question 11 of 16

    A worker thinks tips are not being shared fairly and talking to the manager has not helped. Where can they get free, impartial advice?

    • AAcas
    • BThe restaurant's card machine supplier
    • CThe local licensing office
    • DThe Food Standards Agency
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Acas

    Acas gives impartial advice on tips and can help with mediation. Unresolved complaints can go to an employment tribunal.

12. Question 12 of 16

    A table of four asks to split a bill of £96.00 equally. How much does each person pay?

    • A£25.00
    • B£24.00
    • C£22.00
    • D£32.00
    Show answer

    Answer: B. £24.00

    £96.00 divided by 4 is £24.00. Check the total and confirm the split before taking payment.

13. Question 13 of 16

    Your restaurant adds an optional service charge. A guest asks if they should tip as well. What is the honest answer?

    • ASay the service charge goes to the owner only
    • BSay there is no service charge
    • CExplain that a service charge is already on the bill, and they can choose whether to leave more
    • DTell them tipping on top is required
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Explain that a service charge is already on the bill, and they can choose whether to leave more

    Being clear stops guests paying twice by mistake. Misleading guests about charges can break consumer law.

14. Question 14 of 16

    Why do teams use a written side-work and closing checklist?

    • ABecause the law lists every closing task that staff must do
    • BSo managers can avoid training staff
    • CSo every task is done the same way and nothing is missed
    • DSo only one person has to work at closing
    Show answer

    Answer: C. So every task is done the same way and nothing is missed

    Checklists share the work fairly and make sure the next shift starts with stocked, clean stations.

15. Question 15 of 16

    A colleague's section is very busy and food is waiting at the pass for their table. What is good teamwork?

    • ALeave it, as it is not your table
    • BTell the guests their server is slow and will be there soon
    • CEat a chip while you wait
    • DRun the food if you can, checking seat numbers
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Run the food if you can, checking seat numbers

    Helping to run food keeps it hot and guests happy. Seat numbers make sure it reaches the right person.

16. Question 16 of 16

    Your employer says new tipping rules start next month. When must staff be told about the change?

    • AOnly managers need to know
    • BChanges must be known to all staff from the day they take effect
    • COnly if a worker asks
    • DA year later
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Changes must be known to all staff from the day they take effect

    The code says changes to the written tipping policy must be known to all staff from the day they take effect.

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