Opening, running and closing side work for servers, split fairly by section.
Side work keeps the floor running, but it causes friction when it is unclear or unfair. A written list by section solves most of it.
Time spent on side work is work time and must be paid. Tip credit rules for side work vary and have changed in recent years, so check federal and state rules if you take a tip credit.
13 items. Use it on screen, or print it and fill it in by hand.
A diner assigns coffee station cleaning to the closing server in section 1 and rotates sections weekly. Disputes about who cleans what stop, and close-out takes less time.
Side work is part of a server’s paid working time, and tipped employees paid with a tip credit have specific federal and state rules on duties. A checklist with manager sign-off keeps tasks fair and creates a record of when work finished.
| Restaurant and shift | Blue Plate Diner, Cleveland, Friday close |
|---|---|
| Server and section | Mia, section 3 |
| Tables reset | 8 of 8 |
| Condiments | Ketchups married and wiped |
| Station restock | Straws, napkins, to-go boxes filled |
| Floors under section | Swept |
| Manager check-out | Approved 10:42 pm, clocked out 10:45 pm |
The check-out time and clock-out time are three minutes apart, showing the side work was done while the server was on the clock.
Yes, it is work time.
Rules limit side work under a tip credit in some cases; check current rules.
The manager on duty.
Yes, for fairness.
No, under the FLSA side work is work time and must be paid at the correct rate, including any overtime. Opening and closing tasks are often where unpaid time slips in, so servers should be clocked in. A checklist that matches the clock-in and clock-out times helps prove this.
Assign tasks by section and rotate sections on a set schedule, so the hardest tasks do not always fall on the same people. Post the rotation with the checklist. Have the manager check off each task at close so servers see that everyone’s work is reviewed.
More for the same job
Assign the work in EZTime to an employee, a team or a whole location, ask for photo proof, and get a late alert instead of chasing people. Book a demo if you want a walkthrough.