Operations//5 min read

Shift Management

Manage staff, track cash drawers, and reconcile shifts.

The Shift Lifecycle

Every sale in BarBud must belong to a Shift. This ensures that cash is accounted for and sales are attributed to the correct time period.

Starting a Shift

Usually done by the opening bartender or manager.

  1. Click Start Shift in the dashboard sidebar.
  2. Select Staff: Choose who is working. Multiple bartenders can be on one shift.
  3. Count the Drawer: Enter the starting cash amount (the "Float").
  4. (Optional) Enter a breakdown of bills/coins if "Cash Denominations" is enabled in settings.

During the Shift

  • Cash Drops: If the drawer gets too full, perform a "Cash Drop". Go to Settings → Active Shift → Cash Drop. Record the amount removed to the safe.
  • Pay Outs: If you take cash from the drawer to buy supplies (e.g., ice, limes), record a "Pay Out".
  • Breaks: Staff can clock out for breaks via the "Team" menu without ending the shift.

Ending a Shift (Z-Report)

At the end of the night or shift change:

  1. Click End Shift.
  2. Count the Drawer: Enter the final cash amount.
  3. Review Variance: The system will calculate:Start Cash + Cash Sales + Cash Drops - Pay Outs = Expected Cash.
  4. If the entered amount doesn't match the Expected Cash, a variance is recorded.
  5. Close: This generates a permanent Shift Report.

Blind Balancing

To prevent theft, enable Blind Balancing in the General Settings tab. This hides the "Expected Cash" number from the staff closing the shift, forcing them to count what is actually there rather than just entering what the computer expects.