Tips and Fair Rules: Why We Support the APRON Initiative

Tipping is an essential part of the dining experience. For waiters, waitresses, and baristas, it often makes up 20–50% of their net income. Yet Czech legislation does not reflect this reality. The result? Confusion, uncertainty, and a grey zone that harms employees, businesses, and the state alike. That’s why the APRON Association is pushing for a change in the law to establish clear and fair rules. At Storyous, we support this initiative because we believe that a stable and attractive hospitality sector benefits us all.

Why are new rules for tipping necessary?

• Up to 90% of tips are now cashless, but the law doesn’t recognise them.

• Employees can’t prove their real income when applying for a mortgage or rental.

• Since the pandemic, the industry has lost a quarter of its workforce. Without certainty, people won’t return to hospitality.
  

What does APRON propose?

• Clear rules for recording tips. Flexible but transparent and controllable.

• Exemption of tips from taxes and social contributions, just like in Germany, Austria, or Croatia.

• A guarantee that tips remain a voluntary gift from the customer and will never be counted as part of wages.
  

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Why Storyous supports fair rules for tipping

Our mission is to help the hospitality industry grow and embrace digitalisation. Fair rules for tipping are another step toward making the industry more attractive for both staff and businesses.

A transparent system will give certainty to the people who serve guests every day and help businesses operate without unnecessary red tape. By supporting this initiative, we want to show that change is possible – and worth it. Hospitality is not just a business; it’s a part of our culture and everyday life.

What will this bring?

• For employees: certainty that they’ll receive what they’ve earned and the ability to prove their income.

• For businesses: a transparent system without unnecessary bureaucracy.

• For customers: confidence that their tip goes exactly where it should.
  

Inspiration from abroad 

Most developed countries already have similar rules in place. Germany, Austria, and Croatia all have systems that respect tipping as a voluntary gift. The Czech Republic should not be left behind.

Conclusion 

This isn’t about special treatment for hospitality – it’s about fairness. It’s about restarting a sector that employs hundreds of thousands of people and has a huge multiplier effect on the economy. Tipping deserves clear rules, and we’re proud to support this change.

Want to learn more? Follow the APRON initiative and join the conversation about the future of the hospitality industry.