Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
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coffee academy: Why pay your employees when they’ll do it for free (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by Grrrista
The new coffee academy thing is a scam and corporate should be ashamed of itself.
You used to get paid to do the coffee master program.
Now it’s the coffee academy and it’s a great way for partners desperate to promote to develop themselves without corporate having to pay for their development training.
B u l l s h i t
You used to get paid to do the coffee master program.
Now it’s the coffee academy and it’s a great way for partners desperate to promote to develop themselves without corporate having to pay for their development training.
B u l l s h i t
StormTheParade 29 points 3y ago
Rumour had it stores couldn't "afford" to allocate hours to do coffee master stuff anymore so that's why this happened
Don't know how true it is but that was what was going around
Don't know how true it is but that was what was going around
yyz_barista 29 points 3y ago
Starbucks being cheap on labour? How could this be?
In any case, I know my manager was always short on non-coverage hours to give out. Between deep cleaning (which was fixed with the clean play), signage, tips, orders, extra training, meetings, etc, there wasn't a lot of extra time left to be used for coffee master training.
In no way am I trying to justify what they're doing, I'm a strict believer of time worked, time paid.
In any case, I know my manager was always short on non-coverage hours to give out. Between deep cleaning (which was fixed with the clean play), signage, tips, orders, extra training, meetings, etc, there wasn't a lot of extra time left to be used for coffee master training.
In no way am I trying to justify what they're doing, I'm a strict believer of time worked, time paid.
Grrrista [OP] 10 points 3y ago
Ikr. I blame corporate, not managers. Corporate came up with this scam. I’m not shocked about them being cheap on labor. I wasn’t hired yesterday. What endlessly pisses me off is how fake corporate is, and how much partners just eat it up. Starbucks is amazing at seeming like a “good company” but literally does the minimum so very very often. And covers it up with caffeinated forced enthusiasm.
As someone in the stores, I’d prefer that time be used for the aforementioned things in your comment. They’re functional and necessary. This is still bullshit.
As someone in the stores, I’d prefer that time be used for the aforementioned things in your comment. They’re functional and necessary. This is still bullshit.
yyz_barista 2 points 3y ago
Oh 100%. I never blamed my manager at all, I know she was always chased by the DM for too much non coverage time used.
kqs13 2 points 3y ago
I heard that it was because people were only doing it to get the black apron and were not as interested in coffee so they stopped doing it. Not sure if that's true of course but just what I heatd.
Grrrista [OP] 14 points 3y ago
I highly doubt it. You have to be chosen to do the coffee master program, and - I can’t emphasize this enough - there’s nothing wrong with wanting recognition for one’s achievements.
kqs13 1 points 3y ago
Oh I agree with you, I think getting recognition is really important! Some people, however (at least where i am), have been known to take advantage and kind of bs their way through in order to have the apron. Also I wasnt aware you had to be chosen. I asked my manager at the time and was able to start right away (just had to write a paragraph why I wanted to do it), and other people I know were the same way, so maybe its case by case?
HappyKneeGrowth 1 points 3y ago
Ex starbucks barista here and this news honestly breaks my heart black aprons were the only cool insentive at this godforsaken job.
But as I say this here is the cold hard truth. Every single one of you baristas are expendable and honestly the basis of you getting a promotion and “moving up” in the company is based around the fact of favouritism and trying to out do your other baristas. Lets face it the whole business model of this company is so a damn teenager could pick it up with the right attitude. This is not a long-term place and all of you that put your heart and soul into up-selling and giving a shit about coffee but the fact is. You could be gone and replaced in a days time. Its a sad fact but I’ve never in my life see a company cycle through as many workers as this does.
TLDR: if you’re unhappy and feeling unappreciated leave, I promise theres better opportunities somewhere.
But as I say this here is the cold hard truth. Every single one of you baristas are expendable and honestly the basis of you getting a promotion and “moving up” in the company is based around the fact of favouritism and trying to out do your other baristas. Lets face it the whole business model of this company is so a damn teenager could pick it up with the right attitude. This is not a long-term place and all of you that put your heart and soul into up-selling and giving a shit about coffee but the fact is. You could be gone and replaced in a days time. Its a sad fact but I’ve never in my life see a company cycle through as many workers as this does.
TLDR: if you’re unhappy and feeling unappreciated leave, I promise theres better opportunities somewhere.
traumstdu 1 points 3y ago
When were partners paid to do coffee master? Are we just talking about the few training hours you'd get?
Grrrista [OP] 3 points 3y ago
Yes I am. The coffee master program was done differently in different districts. In some areas they would be actual classes led by other coffee masters. In others you would get an allotted amount of training time. Now you get to work off the clock for less recognition and no pay. There’s no difference between this and expecting someone to do barista basics without pay, or barista trainer certification without pay.
KaylaFaith777 1 points 3y ago
You don’t even get a cool apron? Nahhhh
NOTcreative- -1 points 3y ago
If you don’t want to do it, then don’t. Some partners are excited and passionate about it and have such a good time it’s not work, it’s fun. To each their own. There are other paths to develop while on the clock.
Grrrista [OP] 15 points 3y ago
I don’t and I won’t.
Additionally the “it’s not work, it’s fun” argument is an awful one. They took something that IS payable work, and legally made it able to be done without pay. It doesn’t matter if someone loves their job and it’s fun for them, they should still be paid. Additionally, people are often promoted based on showing that kind of boundless enthusiasm. You also can’t tell me that whether or not someone does that program and has that knowledge is completely separate from any professional considerations.
Moreover this isn’t about me. I’m concerned with partners who don’t assert boundaries they really should because it isn’t the right attitude and they’re not being “a team player” or whatever - who will do whatever they’re told and anything they can think of to please their managers for a promotion because they’ve decided on starbucks as a career path.
Seriously, I’m pretty sure starbucks could be sued using just a copy of a PDP that includes the coffee academy in any way that shows it as a step towards promotion.
Also, btw, just because someone enjoys their job (or seems to - we’re SUPPOSED TO seem like we like this nonsense), they should still be paid. Having fun at work doesn’t buy groceries.
Additionally the “it’s not work, it’s fun” argument is an awful one. They took something that IS payable work, and legally made it able to be done without pay. It doesn’t matter if someone loves their job and it’s fun for them, they should still be paid. Additionally, people are often promoted based on showing that kind of boundless enthusiasm. You also can’t tell me that whether or not someone does that program and has that knowledge is completely separate from any professional considerations.
Moreover this isn’t about me. I’m concerned with partners who don’t assert boundaries they really should because it isn’t the right attitude and they’re not being “a team player” or whatever - who will do whatever they’re told and anything they can think of to please their managers for a promotion because they’ve decided on starbucks as a career path.
Seriously, I’m pretty sure starbucks could be sued using just a copy of a PDP that includes the coffee academy in any way that shows it as a step towards promotion.
Also, btw, just because someone enjoys their job (or seems to - we’re SUPPOSED TO seem like we like this nonsense), they should still be paid. Having fun at work doesn’t buy groceries.
Lunatics_Apprentice 1 points 3y ago
I’m an EMEA coffee master but I don’t get paid extra, nor was I chosen or anything. I just decided I wanted an extra challenge at work.. For me it really was just passion and motivation.
Grrrista [OP] 2 points 3y ago
Okay maybe you guys are misunderstanding the word chosen here. You have to get your manager’s approval. Also the first words in the coffee master book are “you have been chosen” - I’d know. 🙄 Typically in my experience managers have taken a more active role in awarding that.
Anyways, congratulations. Now put yourself in the shoes of a teenager with no college education or other job experience trying to support themselves who needs to get promoted to earn more than the starvation wage corporate pays (thank god for welfare) and maybe save up enough to get a car loan - maybe. That same person will not call their manager out on being an asshole and will feel pressure to do anything they can to distinguish themselves. What better way to demonstrate their boundless enthusiasm than doing unpaid job training.
The coffee master program was a good idea and the coffee academy is the same thing but without pay for the time spent training because corporate can get away with it and we’ll 1) eat up whatever they say to spin it and 2) kiss their asses for it.
Anyways, congratulations. Now put yourself in the shoes of a teenager with no college education or other job experience trying to support themselves who needs to get promoted to earn more than the starvation wage corporate pays (thank god for welfare) and maybe save up enough to get a car loan - maybe. That same person will not call their manager out on being an asshole and will feel pressure to do anything they can to distinguish themselves. What better way to demonstrate their boundless enthusiasm than doing unpaid job training.
The coffee master program was a good idea and the coffee academy is the same thing but without pay for the time spent training because corporate can get away with it and we’ll 1) eat up whatever they say to spin it and 2) kiss their asses for it.
NOTcreative- -14 points 3y ago
If you’re working at Starbucks in the interest of making money you’re in the wrong place. We all know the starting pay is low and anyone who I interview that says they need a job/money I thank them for their time. If they want to work here because they love coffee, the culture, working with people, or benefits then I continue but only if it’s one of those things, otherwise they will be very unhappy. Starbucks starting pay does not pay for groceries, rent, utilities, transportation.
Grrrista [OP] 11 points 3y ago
You seem really out of touch as a manager if you expect your employees to obfuscate the basic reality that people work for money. Are you aware of how many people in your store are living in poverty?
Starbucks pay doesn’t match the cost of living for a long time after someone starts. Unless you’re starting as an ASM. Otherwise starbucks will probably never cover the cost of living, and anyone with that as their source of income will need government assistance. This company, which loves to say it’s a great place to work, should be deeply ashamed of that. Partners shouldn’t be ashamed of wanting to be paid for their work, and for holding the opinion that minimum wage should be raised.
Starbucks pay doesn’t match the cost of living for a long time after someone starts. Unless you’re starting as an ASM. Otherwise starbucks will probably never cover the cost of living, and anyone with that as their source of income will need government assistance. This company, which loves to say it’s a great place to work, should be deeply ashamed of that. Partners shouldn’t be ashamed of wanting to be paid for their work, and for holding the opinion that minimum wage should be raised.
NOTcreative- -5 points 3y ago
I agree minimum wage should be raised but that’s not a reality we live in yet. Plenty of people want to work at Starbucks and aren’t depending on the money for it. Students for something extra to do and a little extra cash. People who don’t need to work but are bored. People who want to take advantage of SCAP or the many great benefits the company offers. If you need a living income get a job that provides that. Make much more money waiting tables. I had to work two jobs for 2 of my years with Starbucks but I was with the company for the benefits first and foremost so my daughter and I had health insurance.
Stowaway9876 7 points 3y ago
Starbucks is a business, not a co-op. Starbucks makes a lot of money. Would Starbucks make as much money from their stores without the employees? People deserve to be fairly compensated for their time and labor.
NOTcreative- 0 points 3y ago
Starbucks spends more of their money on employees than most businesses. Sure Amazon pays their employees $15 an hour but they get terrible benefits and are forced to go to the bathroom in buckets in their warehouses. Starbucks pays above minimum wage and provides some of the best employee benefits of any major corporation. Yeah they’re a business, a publicly traded company who also serves stockholders. They’re in the business to make money and do the best they can to balance employee quality of life with profits. There are plenty of people who want to work for Starbucks and don’t have being a barista as their life goal for sustainability (because that would be foolish).
Go get a job at in n out or Trader Joe’s, or any job waiting tables you’ll make more and be happier since all you’re concerned about is your hourly wage. Your manager should have been transparent with you and told you that if you’re there to make a living, being a barista is not the way. No more than flipping burgers at McDonalds with less tips and benefits. You didn’t sign up for a job that hires people with zero work experience to make a living. If you expected that you are entitled and foolish and are probably contributing to a toxic store culture and negatively impacting your team who aren’t there to depend on being a barista to make a living. Your manager should have been clear with you to the wages from the interview point (first question is why do you want to work at Starbucks) if you agreed you have no one to blame but yourself. If you still think you have Starbucks to blame id reassess your life mentality.
Go get a job at in n out or Trader Joe’s, or any job waiting tables you’ll make more and be happier since all you’re concerned about is your hourly wage. Your manager should have been transparent with you and told you that if you’re there to make a living, being a barista is not the way. No more than flipping burgers at McDonalds with less tips and benefits. You didn’t sign up for a job that hires people with zero work experience to make a living. If you expected that you are entitled and foolish and are probably contributing to a toxic store culture and negatively impacting your team who aren’t there to depend on being a barista to make a living. Your manager should have been clear with you to the wages from the interview point (first question is why do you want to work at Starbucks) if you agreed you have no one to blame but yourself. If you still think you have Starbucks to blame id reassess your life mentality.
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