When it comes to doing a job, there is generally a pay structure that rewards the person for their work. However, those who have gone above and beyond what the employment requires often get a gratuity for their work.
What is a Gratuity?
Generally speaking, a gratuity can be seen as a tip or additional payment above and beyond what is expected for the job that they have done. The most obvious examples are waiters, waitresses, and hotel personnel getting a tip or gratuity for their work. However, a gratuity can apply to many different types of jobs and is often seen as a prime motivator for doing good work.
The gratuity is generally a casual, spur of the moment tip that is provided when the job is completed. However, there are also gratuities written into the contracts of certain types of employees that are rewarded for a job well done. The difference between a gratuity and a bonus is very little in terms of what they are, although a bonus is generally more associated with a particular accomplishment such as finishing the work before a deadline.
When Should You Provide a Gratuity?
The most obvious reason to provide a gratuity is to recognize the good service that you have received. It is meant more as a gesture rather than an expectation, although there are several types of jobs where the salary is designed to be augmented by gratuities.
Generally speaking, for waiters, waitresses, and hotel staff that carry your luggage to the room, you should have the appropriate gratuity available which is generally 15% for food service personnel and $2 to $5 for hotel staff. However, you should keep track of the latest increases to ensure that your gratuity is high enough so that it is not mistaken for being disappointed in the service. Here are some other reasons why you should provide a gratuity for a job well done.
Top Flight Service: If the service you receive is exemplary, then you should add a gratuity to the bill to demonstrate your appreciation. The good news is that you can apply this to many different services simply by adding it to the bill. If you are a repeat customer, it should add considerably to your standing with the company.
Non-Monetary Gratuity: In some cases, offering money as a gratuity it not looked upon favorably for one reason or another. This is particularly true when it comes to individuals working for a company. So instead, you can offer a coupon or special discount to a restaurant for example that the employee can enjoy and not have to report as a tip.
In the end offering a gratuity for good service is very important when showing your appreciation for a job well done. You will want to have a gratuity prepared both in monetary and non-monetary form so that you can present it when the job is completed. Plus, those whose employment relies on making money from gratuities should be rewarded when their service meets and exceeds expectations.