I’m in the exact same position and I’ve been told
it gets easier but honestly I feel the dread of going to work more and more every time I go in now. It makes me so anxious thinking about work and I even have bad dreams about work at least 3 times a week. I’d love to hear from some experienced partners on if this gets better or not

You probably have to flex your SSV a tiny bit if you are having barista issues. Maybe talk to your SM and see if this employee is a problem to other staff too. I say that because we have a few saucy baristas who constantly have to be reminded that they absolutely have to do what the SSV asks (within reason). Like they just don't clean like they are supposed to. The baristas who have been partners for a long time know better and shouldn't need too much of a reminder. I hope it gets better for you no matter the outcome. Look out for yourself too, nothing is worth compromising your mental health.

I hated being a shift. I was one for a year, and taking on a lot more than required when we lost a SM for 6 months. The best thing I did was stepping down. I was so much more stressed, anxious and depressed as a shift.

I feel like being a shift just isn’t worth it for only a couple more dollars an hour. It’s just so much more work and responsibility for barely anymore pay. It just doesn’t make sense.

I was hired as a shift at a brand new store. It’s only been about 7 months and I’m already tired of the bs. All of my stores shifts are not held to the same standards. Almost everything gets left for me to do. I always get stuck with multiple new partners who don’t know wtf they are doing. How am I supposed to run a shift if I’m stuck on bar all night? It stresses me out.

I was a SSV at a drive thru for a year...and then I stepped down. It’s not like I couldn’t handle it. Because I know I’m capable of doing it. But it was really draining for me and it was affecting my mental health also. I was really close to quitting myself. I also don’t think it’s worth the not even $2 raise considering the SSV is expected to do SO MUCH more. So you can either do one of two things here...you’ve only been a SSV for two months. You can give yourself a deadline. Try to hang on maybe for the holiday season if you want. Obviously you can choose a shorter time or a longer time. See how things play out. Or you can demote yourself now if you truly feel like it’s not healthy for you. Ultimately your health is important and you have to do what’s best, even if others don’t agree.

As far as the other baristas thinking they’re above you, something needs to be done about that. They need to respect you as their boss. It’s one thing if they wanna be super helpful, it’s another thing when they’re not being respectful. If you decide to stay as a SSV you should talk to your manager or your fellow SSVs about gaining respect/how they gained respect.

Also...I totally understand the pressure of closing. I was a closing shift. It’s like you gotta have a good close or else someone might call you out or talk shit about it. Or maybe you would get in trouble for something that wasn’t done. But if you’re ASM tells you that you’re doing great, cut yourself some slack. You’re doing great sweetie! If you want (which is what I used to do a lot when I first started), ask for feedback on your closes. You can always asked if there was anything you missed, anything you can do better.

I remember closing and having a million things to do and there were some nights where things would go wrong or we would be understaffed. I used to stress out so much but towards the end of my SSV career I just became numb to it and just laughed. Cus at the end of the day things will get done regardless and you just have to remember that. Some people on here might say that it gets easier. For me I fell into a routine and since I was thrown into a whole bunch of unfortunate situations while closing I knew how to handle them. So that was the “easier” part for me. But ultimately I was burnt out and it wasn’t worth it to me anymore. But at the end of the day you have to do what’s best for you, and I wish you luck.