> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.dishink.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Waiter Assignments

> Assign waiters (and cashiers, managers) to tables from the Waiter Assignment Panel — with grouping, search, unassigned view, and role rules.

The **Waiter Assignment Panel** is where managers see — and change — who covers which tables. It's also where waiters check their own section at the start of a shift.

## Overview

Assignments do two important things:

1. **Filter what each waiter sees.** A waiter only sees their assigned tables on the floor plan. Reassigning is instant — the new table appears on their device within seconds.
2. **Anchor tips and shift reports.** Sales made on an assigned table are attributed to the assigned waiter for tip splits and performance analytics.

Managers can assign anyone with role **waiter**, **cashier**, or **manager**. Kitchen and admin roles are excluded.

## Open the panel

From the floor plan, tap the **Waiter Assignments** icon (people icon) in the top bar, or navigate from **Staff** > **Assignments**.

<Frame caption="Waiter Assignment Panel — grouped by waiter with unassigned section">
  <img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/dishink/images/tables/waiter-assignments.png" alt="Waiter assignment panel" />
</Frame>

At the top you see four stat cards:

| Stat                  | Meaning                                             |
| --------------------- | --------------------------------------------------- |
| **Total Assignments** | Every assignment across the branch.                 |
| **Active Waiters**    | Number of unique staff who have at least one table. |
| **Assigned Tables**   | Tables with one or more waiters.                    |
| **Unassigned Tables** | Tables with **no** waiter — needs attention.        |

Below the stats: a **search box** (by staff name or table name/section) and grouped cards — one per waiter, each showing their tables and each table's live status.

## Assign a waiter to a table

Two entry points:

### From the panel (bulk / unassigned view)

1. Scroll to the **Unassigned Tables** card.
2. Beside a table, tap **Assign**.
3. The **Assign Waiter** modal opens.
4. Pick a staff member from the dropdown. Assignable staff are shown with their role: *"Kelvin Banda · waiter"*, *"Chanda Mwape · cashier"*.
5. Tap **Assign Waiter**.

<Frame caption="Assign Waiter modal">
  <img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/dishink/images/tables/waiter-assignments-modal.png" alt="Assign waiter" />
</Frame>

### Reassign

If the table already has a waiter, the same modal shows a **Currently Assigned** panel with an **Unassign** button and a **Reassign To** dropdown. Tap **Reassign** to swap.

## Unassign a waiter

Open the Assign Waiter modal for the table, then tap **Unassign** in the Currently Assigned panel. Confirm.

The table returns to the **Unassigned Tables** section immediately.

## Who can be assigned

Only **active** staff with an assignable role appear in the dropdown:

* `waiter`
* `cashier`
* `manager`

Inactive staff, kitchen roles, and admin-only accounts are filtered out.

## What waiters see

Waiters see a **filtered** panel:

* Their **own** tables highlighted with a red **Mine** pill.
* **Other waiters' tables** grouped but read-only — they can see coverage without being able to change it.
* **Unassigned tables** section — visible but with no **Assign** button (managers only).

This lets a waiter check coverage at the start of a shift without waiting for a manager.

## Multiple waiters per table

A table can have more than one assignment (e.g. a trainee shadowing a lead). All assigned waiters see it on their floor plan, and each is listed in the assignment panel. Tip splits and performance analytics prorate revenue between them.

## Refresh

Assignments update in real time via Supabase realtime. If you suspect the view is stale, tap the **refresh icon** in the panel header — it spins while re-fetching.

## Search

Type a **staff name** ("Kelvin") or a **table name / section** ("Patio", "Table 12") into the search box. The panel narrows both the grouped cards and the unassigned list.

## Assign by section (fastest at shift start)

A common flow is *"Kelvin covers Patio tonight."* To do this efficiently:

1. Filter the floor plan by section (Patio).
2. Enter **Edit mode**.
3. Bulk-select all Patio tables.
4. Assign to Kelvin.

Much faster than assigning table-by-table. See [Floor Plan](/tables/floor-plan) for edit-mode bulk actions.

## Tips & best practices

<Tip>
  Assign at the **start of the shift**, not on demand. Waiters can see their tables before service begins, prep their sections, and greet correctly.
</Tip>

<Tip>
  Watch the **Unassigned Tables** count during peak service. If it's climbing, someone's sections aren't being covered.
</Tip>

<Tip>
  Use **section-based** assignment where possible. It scales better and shift reports become cleaner.
</Tip>

<Tip>
  For split-shift coverage (e.g. lunch waiter leaves, dinner waiter arrives), **reassign** — don't create a new assignment. This keeps the audit trail clean.
</Tip>

## Common mistakes

* **Assigning kitchen staff.** They're filtered out. If you can't find someone, check their role.
* **Assuming a waiter can self-assign.** Only managers can create or change assignments. Waiters see coverage but cannot edit.
* **Leaving assignments from yesterday.** Sweep the panel at open. Reassignments are 2 seconds; missing coverage is a bad guest experience.
* **Not unassigning at end of shift.** Not critical (assignments carry over), but if roles are changing tomorrow, clean up tonight.

## Related pages

* [Floor Plan](/tables/floor-plan)
* [Assigned Tables](/waiter/assigned-tables)
* [Staff Accounts](/staff/staff-accounts)
* [Permissions](/staff/permissions)
* [Staff Performance](/reports/staff-performance)