When I Work released on Apr. 28 a list of creative tip jar ideas aimed at helping businesses increase employee tips and engage customers. The guidance focuses on using humor, interactive elements, and personalization to make tip jars more noticeable and effective.
The topic is relevant as tipping remains a common practice in the United States, with average tips ranging from 15% to 20%. Businesses are seeking ways to encourage customer participation, especially as traditional tip jars can be overlooked due to their ubiquity.
The release outlines several approaches for making tip jars stand out. Interactive polls or competitions such as “Friends vs. The Office” or “Cats vs. Dogs” are suggested as ways to encourage friendly participation among customers. Humor is also recommended; examples include jokes like “Why don’t lobsters tip? Because they’re shellfish!” or playful fundraising goals such as “All tips go to teaching ferrets to drive race cars.” Personalization is another strategy, where employees might theme their jars around personal goals like saving for a trip or allow staff-made designs that resonate with regular patrons.
Operational suggestions include giving change in smaller bills so it’s easier for customers to leave a dollar rather than just coins, ensuring point-of-sale systems prompt digital tipping options, and keeping some starter money in the jar so it never appears empty. According to When I Work, “Customers tip for the experience. They want to feel valued as a person.” The company also emphasizes that scheduling plays an important role: “Overscheduling leads to apathy and underscheduling leads to exhaustion… Effective scheduling that’s right for customer demand creates happier employees.”
Digital alternatives are increasingly important given fewer people carry cash; mobile-first options like Venmo, PayPal, Cash App, QR codes, and POS prompts can help capture additional tips digitally.
Looking ahead, When I Work encourages businesses not only to adopt creative approaches but also ensure teams remain organized and motivated through proper staffing practices.
