The owner of a bar and restaurant in Glasgow's south side had to step in after a message from a member of senior management threatening to deduct tips from staff found to not be "applying themselves properly" was shared on social media.
Unite Hospitality shared a message sent by senior management to staff at Oscar Bar & Kitchen in Shawlands outlining a new 'tips scheme'.
The message saw bosses threaten to deduct tips from staff found not to be carrying out certain duties including cleaning microwaves. A list of offences that would result in money being taken from the employee included "making me (senior manager) have to repeat myself" resulting in £2 being lost.
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Other tasks included "using the last of something not saying, whether prep or stock - £2", "leaving a spoon in a tub - £10" and "failure to fill up bottles - £2".
For failing to clean out the microwave, the message stated that staff would be punished by a "forfeit of weeks tips".
The author went on to say: "Some of these you might find a bit excessive, but if we all want to keep our full tips, we will stick to this and the kitchen will run a lot more efficient.
"I fully expect all of us to be receiving full tips every fortnight!".
The message was shared on social media by Unite Hospitality who called for Fair Tips legislation. They said: "Below is a genuine message sent by senior management to workers at Oscar Bar & Kitchen in Shawlands, Glasgow threatening to deduct up to a weeks tips for failure to clean a microwave.
"This is why Fair Tips legislation is sorely needed."
Their post amassed dozens of shares and comments with many readers left shocked by the behaviour of management.
One person wrote: "If staff ain't doing the job properly then discipline them and follow procedures leading to getting sacked. Can't go just taking tips off them.
"Tips aren't left by a customer because a bottle was filled up properly or a spoon was left in a tub. Maybe take tips of management for failure to hire appropriate staff or implement proper check lists."
Another said: "Doubt if I will support Oscars again. Shocking" while another added: "never setting foot in this place I’m gob smacked."
One commenter added: "What will happen with these stolen tips? Will they be refunded back to the customer? Donated to charity? Whatever wee power trip sent this should be investigated for unprofessional conduct and if they touch the tips, stealing."
Hours after the message was shared by Unite the owner and manager of the venue released a statement stating they have now decided to adopt a "new Fair Tips Policy" that will ensure 100 per cent f tips will go to staff.
They said: "We would like to distance ourselves entirely from the post that was sent to workers by senior management entitled 'Tips Scheme'.
"It was ill-informed and completely unacceptable.
"Our workforce are incredibly important to us and as such we have decided to adopt a new Fair Tips Policy which will ensure that 100 per cent of all tips go directly to the workers who provide the great service our customers have come to expect.
"Not a penny of these tips will go to management and they will be shared fairly among all other workers according to the hours that they work.
"We welcome the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023 and hope to work with Unite on all matters relating to the terms and conditions of our workers."
Owner and manager, Daniyal Schafaei, said: “As a company we are a fair employer. All of our staff are paid more than minimum wage. We have never withheld tips from our employees and never would.
"We give all tips gathered to our employees and management do not receive a share of tips. We welcome the (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023, which received Royal Assent last month.”
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