Onboarding: Day 14 MOD checkpoint and release review

onboarding #day-14 #checkpoint #mod #release

The Day 14 review is the formal release decision. 45-60 minutes. MOD + coach + trainee.

Pre-checkpoint

Trainee takes the handbook test earlier in the day.
MOD reviews 14 days of coaching log entries.
Coach summarizes the trainee's arc: where they started, where they are.
MOD reviews any incidents (positive or negative).

Conversation outline

Open: "Tell me about the past 14 days." Trainee narrates. 10-15 minutes.
Test review: MOD reviews the handbook test results with the trainee. Wrong answers walked through. Common misses become Day 30+ growth goals.
Must-pass review: MOD walks through each item from the pass/fail standards:
- Greeting + first beverage standard
- Soigné mark reading
- Allergen verification
- Cocktail spec recall (verbal quiz: 5 random menu drinks)
- Comp authority understanding
Discretionary review: Pace, language tier, anticipation, mistake recovery.
Coach input: Coach gives final recommendation.
Decision: Trainee is told the outcome in the room.

Outcomes

Outcome	What it means
Full release	Trainee runs full station independently. Full tip share. Next check-in: 30-day.
Pass-with-watch	Full station, but MOD or coach checks in at 30-day mark. Specific growth edges documented.
7-day re-training	Trainee continues coach shadow for 7 more days. Retest at Day 21. If pass: full release. If fail: role-fit conversation.
Role mismatch	Rare. MOD + GM conversation. Either re-allocate to different role (e.g., server → host) or end the engagement with grace.

Documentation

MOD writes a formal release note in the personnel file:

Date of release (or extended training)
Coach name and feedback
Trainee's strengths (specific)
Trainee's growth edges (specific, with a Day 30 goal for each)
Handbook test score
Decision rationale

What the trainee leaves with

Confidence about their next shift
Clarity on what they still need to improve
The date of the 30-day check-in
A team that knows they're now full-status

Standards

Day 14 is intense for the trainee. MOD's job is to be honest AND supportive. A trainee who's released should walk out feeling earned, not surprised. A trainee in re-training should walk out clear about why and what's next.