Ottawa restaurant taking different approach to tipping
Posted Sep 26, 2022 11:30:00 PM.
A restaurant offering a fine dining experience located in downtown Ottawa is taking a different approach when it comes to tipping.
Devinder Chaudhary, the owner of Aiāna Restaurant Collective on O'Connor Street, told The Sam Laprade Show on Sept. 26 that the restaurant would not follow the standard tipping model as he said it promotes inequity in employee compensation.
“It is our responsibility to pay a fair and equitable wage to all team members,” Chaudhary said. “Their take home pay should not depend on guests' generosity.”
Chaudhary said the restaurant's prices include full costs and targeted margins, and guests are informed that the prices are what they are.
The restaurant's website noted that it is “recognizing that an exceptional guest experience begins not only with quality food, but an enthusiastic and committed team, Aiana supports its employees above and beyond industry expectations by providing them with a living wage. This means we compensate our team members with an hourly rate that enables them to meet their basic needs and expenses relative to economic trends within their community. It is not a fixed rate of pay, and rather, a wage that is reassessed each year to correspond with external factors.”
Chaudhary said the approach has been well received.
“Our patrons love this fresh approach,” he added. “We have had guests reach out and express their appreciation.”
Listen to the full interview with Devinder Chaudhary below:
