Tipping policies: consult staff from 2027

Employers that receive tips must already pass them on in full and have a written tipping policy. The Act adds a duty to consult workers (or a recognised union) before making or revising the policy, publish an anonymised summary of the feedback, and review the policy at least every three years.

We found no commencement regulations for this change on legislation.gov.uk as of 25 October 2026. The date comes from the government roadmap and may move; details depend on regulations and consultation responses. GOV.UK lists strengthened tipping law for 1 January 2027; Acas says “by end of 2026” with no exact date.

Who it affects

Hospitality, beauty, taxi and other employers where customers tip.

What changes

• Consultation before creating or reviewing the tipping policy.
• Anonymised summary of views to be shared.
• Review at least every three years.

What to do

1. Find your current tipping policy and the date it was last reviewed.
2. Plan a short staff consultation and keep a written summary.

Documents to review by 4 December 2026

• Tipping policy (only if customers tip): Written policy exists and tips are passed on in full; Consultation and review every three years.

Tick these off and export the dates to your calendar in the business plan tab.

Sources

1. Employment Rights Act 2025, section 14 — Policy about allocating tips etc: consultation and review
2. GOV.UK — Plan to Make Work Pay and Employment Rights Act: timeline update (updated 22 October 2026)
3. Acas — Employment Rights Act 2025 (updated 20 October 2026)

A summary for employers, not legal advice. Where a change depends on regulations not yet made, details may differ from this page.