Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
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Got sexually harassed by a coworker who has a history of bad behavior. What are my options? (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by firsttimesbuxpartner
Hi guys. I'm really nervous about posting this here because idk if my other coworkers check this sub, so I'm gonna be as vague with the details as possible.
The other day I was working with another coworker who has a history of not only hitting on customers (while having a significant other), but also making snide comments to female coworkers. I've never had any comments aimed at me because I tend to keep my distance, but I guess my coworker was feeling bold today and made a suggestive comment towards me--not in private of course.
They did it on their headset for everyone else to hear.
I'm not sure what to do, because I know if I go to our manager about it, nothing will be done. I'm also afraid of calling HR (or whoever I need to call for this type of thing; I'm having trouble finding the number) because I know my manager will get a phone call about it.
I'm wondering if I should report it anonymously instead, because I don't want to be seen as... I dunno, overly sensitive? I don't want to be seen as a burden. But this made me feel really uncomfortable.
What should I do? Who should I call?
UPDATE: I ended up calling the business ethics and compliance hotline at the behest of one of my shift managers and filed a report with them. As much as I wanted to stay anonymous, I wanted to make it easier for them in case they needed to open an investigation. As much as I wanted to contact my DM, I actually had an unpleasant experience with them once over something that could've been handled face to face... they complained to my SM instead of speaking to me directly about something that happened when I took their order. So I'm uncomfortable with talking to both my DM and my SM... fingers crossed something is actually done about it. I'm hoping I don't get seen as a problem employee or anything. I just don't want to feel unsafe/uncomfortable at work around my own coworkers...
The other day I was working with another coworker who has a history of not only hitting on customers (while having a significant other), but also making snide comments to female coworkers. I've never had any comments aimed at me because I tend to keep my distance, but I guess my coworker was feeling bold today and made a suggestive comment towards me--not in private of course.
They did it on their headset for everyone else to hear.
I'm not sure what to do, because I know if I go to our manager about it, nothing will be done. I'm also afraid of calling HR (or whoever I need to call for this type of thing; I'm having trouble finding the number) because I know my manager will get a phone call about it.
I'm wondering if I should report it anonymously instead, because I don't want to be seen as... I dunno, overly sensitive? I don't want to be seen as a burden. But this made me feel really uncomfortable.
What should I do? Who should I call?
UPDATE: I ended up calling the business ethics and compliance hotline at the behest of one of my shift managers and filed a report with them. As much as I wanted to stay anonymous, I wanted to make it easier for them in case they needed to open an investigation. As much as I wanted to contact my DM, I actually had an unpleasant experience with them once over something that could've been handled face to face... they complained to my SM instead of speaking to me directly about something that happened when I took their order. So I'm uncomfortable with talking to both my DM and my SM... fingers crossed something is actually done about it. I'm hoping I don't get seen as a problem employee or anything. I just don't want to feel unsafe/uncomfortable at work around my own coworkers...
fullmetalcomposer 11 points 4y ago
I would suggest calling your DM directly, their card should be in the cafe somewhere. Sorry you're dealing with this, no one should have to work in that type of environment. If your DM doesn't offer you the help you need I would escalate it to HR. Hope that's helpful, good luck partner.
Fourground1184 11 points 4y ago
This! Also the fact that this person feels like they can't go to their manager about this is so wrong. I'd call the dm and tell them just that and about what happened.
Sucks they did it over the headset but also kinda a blessing if other people did hear it. Call the dm and they'll probably question a few people from the shift and get some shit done.
Sucks they did it over the headset but also kinda a blessing if other people did hear it. Call the dm and they'll probably question a few people from the shift and get some shit done.
CalDoesMaths 2 points 4y ago
Yup! In my experience DMs get shit done real quick. They almost never are going to play games. Especially stuff that *should* be able to be handled by a SM. But if OP doesn't feel comfortable going to the SM the DM will take care of it. If somehow the DM doesn't, HR is really good about making sure problems (especially big ones like harassment) are taken care of.
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Edit: Also, if OP's store manager isn't willing to deal with it they definitely should bring that up with HR as that is literally one big thing the store manager is being oblivious to.
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Edit: Also, if OP's store manager isn't willing to deal with it they definitely should bring that up with HR as that is literally one big thing the store manager is being oblivious to.
firsttimesbuxpartner [OP] 1 points 4y ago
My SM is just way too nice to us and is very lenient. I think they just don't want to be seen as the bad guy. The person who harassed me in question actually has terrible work ethic and has always had bad behavior issues, even with other coworkers.
CalDoesMaths 2 points 4y ago
If you feel comfortable with it, I’d bring it up to your SM first. You can ask them to not mention your name (especially if the person has done stuff like this before). The SM will likely ask other people working about what happened as well. If your don’t, then I’d contact your DM/HR.
foxxy_roxxy 8 points 4y ago
call your dm. my brother was dealing with a issue at his store his SM wouldn't do anything about so he called his dm and the person causing issues got in major trouble as did the SM (she got fired like 6 months later for stealing, karma right lol). also i wont worry about if your manager gets a call from your DM or if you have to call HR cause by law HR and your manager cant say who called in a complaint by law. wishing you the best of luck no one should have to deal with that in or outside of work.
androgyne_e 4 points 4y ago
I’m sorry you had this experience! You’re not overly sensitive, harassment like that has no place in the workplace and it’s especially vile that they said it over the headset just so they could cause you discomfort in front of literally everyone...partner resources could be helpful as well, has this happen to a coworker and she wrote a letter with everything that happened the the abuser what separated from the company.
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