How to Track Pub Staff Performance (The Landlord’s Way)

Look, we’ve all been there. You’ve got a sneaking suspicion that some of your staff are taking the piss whilst others are grafting their socks off, but you can’t quite put your finger on the evidence. Tracking pub staff performance doesn’t have to be like running MI5 – it’s about being smart, fair, and keeping your punters happy.

Set Clear Performance Standards First

Before you can track anything, your team needs to know what good looks like. This isn’t about being a slave driver – it’s about clarity. Set specific standards for:

• Customer service – greeting times, product knowledge, complaint handling
• Till accuracy – cash handling, correct change, transaction speeds
• Cleanliness standards – bar area, glass washing, general tidiness
• Punctuality and attendance – turning up on time, shift reliability
• Teamwork – helping colleagues, communication during busy periods

Write these down and make sure everyone knows them from day one. If you need help getting new staff up to speed properly, check out our guide on how to onboard new bar staff the right way.

Track Performance Using Simple Methods

You don’t need fancy software to spot patterns. Keep it simple with these tracking methods:

Daily observation logs: Spend 10 minutes each shift noting who’s doing what. Not lurking in corners like a creep, just being present and aware. Note both good and poor performance – it’s not all about catching people out.

Till reports: Your EPOS system tells you everything. Who’s got discrepancies? Who’s processing transactions quickly? Who’s selling more add-ons? The numbers don’t lie.

Customer feedback: Whether it’s TripAdvisor reviews mentioning staff by name or direct feedback from regulars, this goldmine often gets overlooked. Keep a simple log of what customers say.

Mystery shopper approach: Not literally hiring mystery shoppers, but asking trusted mates to pop in and give you honest feedback about service quality.

Use Technology to Make Life Easier

Our free front-of-house app at SmartPubTools helps landlords track staff performance without the paperwork nightmare. You can monitor till performance, track attendance patterns, and spot trends that might take weeks to notice otherwise.

Regular one-to-ones: Monthly chats with each team member. Not interrogations – proper conversations about what’s working, what isn’t, and how they can improve. Most staff actually appreciate clear feedback.

Team performance meetings: Share overall pub performance (without naming and shaming individuals) so everyone understands how their work affects the bottom line.

Remember, tracking performance isn’t about catching people out – it’s about recognising your stars, supporting those who need help, and making sure your pub runs like clockwork.

Ready to streamline your staff management? Try SmartPubTools free and see how much easier pub management can be.