sidework

Sidework refers to tasks performed by an employee outside of their primary job duties. This can occur in various industries, most notably in the service industry where servers often engage in sidework to ensure efficient operation and customer satisfaction. Examples of sidework for a server might include refilling condiments, polishing silverware, stocking napkins, cleaning and resetting tables, and preparing the dining area for the next shift.

The purpose of sidework is to maintain a high standard of service and operational readiness. By completing these tasks during slower periods, employees can free up their time to focus on immediate customer needs when the establishment becomes busy. It contributes to a smoother workflow, improved customer experience, and can also be a factor in employee performance evaluations.

In some contexts, sidework might also refer to a secondary job or business undertaken by an individual to supplement their main income. This is less common in the formal definition but is sometimes used colloquially. Regardless of the specific context, sidework generally implies tasks or activities that are supplementary to a main responsibility.