Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
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I can't call in sick without someone acting like I just hung their puppy. (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by buttermybriskett
So I've been at Starbucks about a year now. I've only called in twice before for medical reasons, today being #3. I cancelled my doctors appointment this past saturday so I could work a 7-3. Had to reschedule my appointment and it was scheduled for 11am today. I was also scheduled today from 9-1. I already had mentioned to my manager that I needed help finding coverage. Posted to the group me. (Heard nothing back) and come 7:30 am this morning I call to let them know I cant come in and I swear, every time something like this happens, someone acts like I just condemned the whole store.
proletarithot 38 points 4y ago
Does your doctor schedule your appointments without consulting you? Does your manager schedule you outside of your availability, or suddenly change schedules?
Partners really do be acting like it’s a crime against humanity to call off. However, accountability is a super important trait at any job. If you’re making/agreeing to appointments when you’re scheduled to work, or neglecting to request off days in advance, then I can see why they’d be mad at you.
It’s different when you’re suddenly sick with the flu, or otherwise incapacitated. At that point, call off and fuck the haters. The Siren’s Starbucks is all-consuming; we need to set boundaries and take care of ourselves first. But there’s a difference between setting boundaries and neglecting your time management.
I don’t mean to come off as rude. I’ve just worked far too many short-staffed weekends or happy hours because partners called off for legitimately inappropriate reasons. I’m sure you’ve felt the struggle, too.
Partners really do be acting like it’s a crime against humanity to call off. However, accountability is a super important trait at any job. If you’re making/agreeing to appointments when you’re scheduled to work, or neglecting to request off days in advance, then I can see why they’d be mad at you.
It’s different when you’re suddenly sick with the flu, or otherwise incapacitated. At that point, call off and fuck the haters. The Siren’s Starbucks is all-consuming; we need to set boundaries and take care of ourselves first. But there’s a difference between setting boundaries and neglecting your time management.
I don’t mean to come off as rude. I’ve just worked far too many short-staffed weekends or happy hours because partners called off for legitimately inappropriate reasons. I’m sure you’ve felt the struggle, too.
WinkingCats 3 points 4y ago
So spot on, I don’t want to assume this Partner was or wasn’t sick, and of course health should be everyone’s priority, but if they knowingly schedule an appointment that conflicts with their scheduled shift, it’s a problem. I guess it’s a matter of context, if they are facing serious health issues, you need to keep appointments- OK, but the communication with the manager needs to be open about that and you need to schedule the time off accordingly- again, time management. I don’t understand why they’d offer coverage on their original day off and cancel their original appointment time? But let’s say it’s for a regular well visit or physical, there’s no excuse to miss your shift for that.
chrism559 -12 points 4y ago
Can we also address the Sat doctors appointment. Iv never had a Doctor that worked the weekend. Seems suspect to me.
Nohandlebarista 11 points 4y ago
Not really. If they're a minor there are a lot of pediatricians that work Saturdays, often times like 9-1, and if they're an adult it may depend on the type of doctor they're seeing and what the appointment is about.
Cariboumoo 31 points 4y ago
Going to play devil's advocate. Not to be mean but rather to help you not take it personal. Manager is probably just being a dick.
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I have worked many jobs in the last ten years. Both entry level and high-end. And at every job, there are always people calling in sick. Just yesterday, more than half my team called in sick in our Operations Center. Half the team calling in with the Mondays and putting a heavy load on my team mates who actually bothered to show up. I am the type that rarely calls in sick. I've worked through illness, hangover, and tooth ache. I won't call in unless I am unable to perform my duties.
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Having said that, time and time again I have seen people abuse sick days. Especially in lower-end jobs, I have seen teenagers and young people call off repeatedly with absolutely no reprimanding given by management. Conversely, I have met men and women who work hard and would never miss a day unless they absolutely had to.
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There is no doubt that there is a stigma against people who call off regardless of justification. A bunch of assholes spoil it for the rest of us. This leads me to feel guilty on those days that I do call off. However, if I were your manager and you had a doctor's note, I wouldn't give you any trouble at all. Manager needs to lay off. So don't take it personal. They're probably just pissed at the situation in general - not you directly.
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:D
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I have worked many jobs in the last ten years. Both entry level and high-end. And at every job, there are always people calling in sick. Just yesterday, more than half my team called in sick in our Operations Center. Half the team calling in with the Mondays and putting a heavy load on my team mates who actually bothered to show up. I am the type that rarely calls in sick. I've worked through illness, hangover, and tooth ache. I won't call in unless I am unable to perform my duties.
​
Having said that, time and time again I have seen people abuse sick days. Especially in lower-end jobs, I have seen teenagers and young people call off repeatedly with absolutely no reprimanding given by management. Conversely, I have met men and women who work hard and would never miss a day unless they absolutely had to.
​
There is no doubt that there is a stigma against people who call off regardless of justification. A bunch of assholes spoil it for the rest of us. This leads me to feel guilty on those days that I do call off. However, if I were your manager and you had a doctor's note, I wouldn't give you any trouble at all. Manager needs to lay off. So don't take it personal. They're probably just pissed at the situation in general - not you directly.
​
:D
FearlessFilipina 11 points 4y ago
Or in my case, call in sick, Manager is clearly mad and implies that he doesn’t believe me. I bring a doctors note as requested. They don’t feel it has enough information on it, and I have to take my ass back to the doctor just to get a “return to work” date added while I actively have the stomach flu. And still have to find coverage for my own shifts.
Some managers are just dicks.
Some managers are just dicks.
cargo-jorts 6 points 4y ago
FWIW a manager cannot request a doctors note unless you miss 3 consecutive shifts
FearlessFilipina 3 points 4y ago
I live in Indiana so we don’t have specific laws in our state, but what you’re saying is definitely true in Arizona and California with their employment and paid sick time laws.
AmbitiousCriticism 3 points 4y ago
I am pretty confident that they can't request specific info on a doctor's note. Some of the best clinic doctors I've been have actually told both my profs and work that they have no right to my confidential medical info beyond what they are willing to share on that note.
FearlessFilipina 3 points 4y ago
Yes, they can only provide so much information without violating HIPAA.
My manager is a dick lmao
My manager is a dick lmao
DrunkUranus 9 points 4y ago
Sorry friend
In my experience, this is the case at all hourly employment, particularly food service
Hope you feel better soon
In my experience, this is the case at all hourly employment, particularly food service
Hope you feel better soon
Theotar 4 points 4y ago
You can always bring it up. Remind your managers it’s a safety issue. Not only that but the law, and you rather not be a criminal.
If they still don’t support you call out partner contact center. Explain how their punishing my for following the rules/law. They will investigate the situation and put people straight.
If they still don’t support you call out partner contact center. Explain how their punishing my for following the rules/law. They will investigate the situation and put people straight.
drinkliquidclocks 2 points 4y ago
"But ____ called in to today!!!" Okay? That doesn't make me any less sick...
baengali 1 points 4y ago
holy shit. i always stay longer then my scheduled shift whenever my manager asks but one time i was tired as hell and said no. and for the rest of my shift she just kept saying things to try and make me feel guilty into staying. like bye felicia 🤣🤣🤣🤣
buttermybriskett [OP] 3 points 4y ago
The other day they my shift asked me to stay an hour longer and I said "No I cant."
She replied with "Why?"
Like... um dude. I dont have to give you a reason. Like at all.
She replied with "Why?"
Like... um dude. I dont have to give you a reason. Like at all.
baengali 2 points 4y ago
lmao and it’s a constant thing that she needs people to stay longer. like does she not get the message that she needs to schedule people longer...???
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