Shift work for hospitality workers
Bars, restaurants, cafés, hotels and catering run on rotas that change every week. Shifts often run over, split shifts leave a gap in the middle of the day, and many people work for two venues or an agency to make up their hours.
How your pay works
- Tips: since October 2024, employers must pass on all tips and service charges to workers, fairly and in full, usually by the end of the following month. They must have a written tips policy and keep records for three years.
- Tips can't be used to top up your pay to the minimum wage. Your hourly rate must reach the minimum on its own.
- If your shift runs over, the extra time is working time. If your average pay drops below the minimum because of unpaid overruns, you've been underpaid.
- Split shifts: the gap in the middle is unpaid if you're free to leave and use the time as you like.
- Trial shifts: an unpaid trial should be a short, genuine assessment. If you're doing real work for a full shift, you should be paid at least the minimum wage.
What to keep a record of
- Each shift with its real start and finish, not just the rota times
- Breaks you actually got
- Tips and service charge for each shift or week
- Which venue or agency, and the rate
- Paid or still owed
Get started
Not sure what the legal minimum is for your age? See the current minimum wage rates. Paste the rota message you were sent and Shiftaan fills in the shift for you. Give it a go.
Common questions
Does my employer have to give me my tips?
Yes. Under the tips law that came in on 1 October 2024, employers must pass on all tips and service charges to workers, share them fairly and have a written policy. You can ask for your tips records.
Should I be paid if my shift overruns?
Yes. Any time you're required to work is working time. Record your real finish time so you can check your pay.
Are unpaid trial shifts legal?
A short unpaid trial to assess your skills can be. If it turns into a normal shift doing real work, you should be paid at least the minimum wage.