Tips from October should land in your November pay

If customers left you tips in October, your employer has until 30 November to pay them out. That is the rule under the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act, and the Government's guidance spells it out.

What the rules say - Your employer must pass on 100% of qualifying tips and service charge. The only deductions allowed are tax. - Tips should be shared fairly, with agency workers not unfairly left out. - Tips stay at the site where they were left. They cannot be pooled across branches. - Your employer should have a written tipping policy and keep records for three years.

Not sure what counts: cash you are handed and keep, with your employer not involved, sits outside these rules.

Try this on your next shift: ask your manager how the tips are split and when the October money is paid. A calm, simple question is enough. If the answer does not add up, ask to see the policy, then speak to Acas.