Can Restaurant Owners Keep Tips From Their Employees?: A recent change in laws will make it illegal for restaurant owners to keep tips from their employees. The new legislation will protect two million workers in the UK from this practice. These workers make a substantial portion of their income from tips. This new legislation is important for two reasons. First, it will help them retain the tips they earn, which are an important part of their compensation. Second, the new law will ensure that tipped employees are paid the amount they are entitled to.