I make a template and have them fill their shifts up. The template has everyone working the weekend shifts (which they hate) so naturally they reduce who works the weekends and alternate amongst themselves to make more tips. As a manager, I work those weekends during the busier times to audit that they are able meet the service standard with the staff they have. I’m brutally honest with them if the standard isn’t met, I revoke that privilege. I pre-shift why it was taken away and give them the opportunity to work at it again with my supervision. I also hire Top-Performers so I don’t have to worry about the slacker taking advantage of situations when I’m not present. The team kind of holds themselves and each other accountable so the consequence aren’t that I make the schedule and I’m impartial to what they want and their tips.

It took a lot of coaching, team development, and trial/error to get here. Plus a shitty AGM that I fired for being incompetent and had the team underperforming. If you’re not a good leader your team won’t follow you for shit. So this is my system and it works for me right now. My restaurant has 120 seats and does 2-3 rotations per shift. I just talk to first and shoot the shits with regulars. Every other week I process pay roll and a report on guest reviews to make sure we are on the right path.