Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
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I want to quit (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by havanabananna
Here’s the thing, I started back in November and got a super quick training of 6 days, then went on vacations for 2 weeks (my boss knew about this when he hired me and was totally okay with it, he’s super nice). During that vacation I’ve learned some pretty bad medical news and so work isn’t my priority anymore, my mind is always on something.
I’ve been working back for 3 weeks now and I’m awful: I spill drinks, I make them wrong, I forget the routines, I mess up the register and I’m just making it harder for everyone to work there.
Two of my managers took me to the back during a shift this weekend to tell me I was doing an awful job (they were right) and that it couldn’t keep going on like this, I told them I was doing my best but right now I can’t work under pressure. It went as far as my boss and two managers having a meeting about me and they decided to keep me apparently.
They say they’re honest with me because the last thing they want to do is talk about me behind my back but I’m not sure I’m emotionally strong enough for it.
I go to work nervous, I can’t smile, I broke down crying when my superior talked to me in the back saying she didn’t recognize me and I needed to change ASAP.
(I’m not saying my colleagues/superiors were mean to me, they’re all super nice! Some colleagues covered for me when I broke dishes, when I couldn’t find a product, they’ve been super patient but I don’t think I’m cut for a job like this, I’m too stressed out.)
My manager told me to come back for my next shift with a smile and a positive attitude and I told her I would but just thinking about going back makes me nervous and sad.
I don’t know what to do.
Any advice?
Thanks guys!
I’ve been working back for 3 weeks now and I’m awful: I spill drinks, I make them wrong, I forget the routines, I mess up the register and I’m just making it harder for everyone to work there.
Two of my managers took me to the back during a shift this weekend to tell me I was doing an awful job (they were right) and that it couldn’t keep going on like this, I told them I was doing my best but right now I can’t work under pressure. It went as far as my boss and two managers having a meeting about me and they decided to keep me apparently.
They say they’re honest with me because the last thing they want to do is talk about me behind my back but I’m not sure I’m emotionally strong enough for it.
I go to work nervous, I can’t smile, I broke down crying when my superior talked to me in the back saying she didn’t recognize me and I needed to change ASAP.
(I’m not saying my colleagues/superiors were mean to me, they’re all super nice! Some colleagues covered for me when I broke dishes, when I couldn’t find a product, they’ve been super patient but I don’t think I’m cut for a job like this, I’m too stressed out.)
My manager told me to come back for my next shift with a smile and a positive attitude and I told her I would but just thinking about going back makes me nervous and sad.
I don’t know what to do.
Any advice?
Thanks guys!
AdamAce3 7 points 3y ago
The best advice I can give you is Stay Positive, Live Forward. Do what’s best for yourself and what’s makes you happy.
sleepy218barista 3 points 3y ago
Do they know your priority is your health?
havanabananna [OP] 1 points 3y ago
Yes, I told them and they were super nice about it, saying they didn’t want to belittle it but I had to be able to make the difference between personal life and work (my health issue has no physical repercussion for now)
sleepy218barista 3 points 3y ago
I was very discouraged at first. It was rough for me the first 4 months or so. I’m a 4 year partner and I barely remember my first year at starbz. However, I was not dealing with health issues. I too wanted to quit and was frustrated that I didn’t know anything or how to make drinks. I felt stupid and in the way. So I understand to an extent. This job isn’t for anyone and seasoned partners understand that. It’s stressful and it’s A LOT. So I don’t blame you for wanting to quit considering your health. I think if your brain keep making telling you to quit you should talk to your supervisors about how you’re feeling and what would help you succeed (which they should already be doing) or you can walk into work with the attitude, “I’m here to learn” and take every moment as a learning opportunity. Maybe communicate that with your shift.
havanabananna [OP] 2 points 3y ago
Thank you so much for your response :)
I’ll just explain what happened: I just got screened with possible cervix cancer, my great aunt is in terminal phase of breast cancer and my dad got tested positive for colon cancer, I learned all of that in the last few weeks and combining that with my last semester of my bachelor at uni makes work seems way less important to me.
The thing is I always go with a “I wanna learn” attitude but they told me they wanted me to be independent and basically get mad every-time I ask for something they already taught me (even if it was in November and I did it once).
They told me they expect me to not call them at all and they should stay in the back unless there’s more than 4 people at the register.
I also asked them what I could do better and they told me I needed to be quieter, quicker and less messy but I told them I’m doing the best I can, they said it wasn’t enough.
I don’t know what to do, I think I just get overwhelmed too easily to keep up with that job. :/
Thank you again for taking the time to talk to me btw :)
I’ll just explain what happened: I just got screened with possible cervix cancer, my great aunt is in terminal phase of breast cancer and my dad got tested positive for colon cancer, I learned all of that in the last few weeks and combining that with my last semester of my bachelor at uni makes work seems way less important to me.
The thing is I always go with a “I wanna learn” attitude but they told me they wanted me to be independent and basically get mad every-time I ask for something they already taught me (even if it was in November and I did it once).
They told me they expect me to not call them at all and they should stay in the back unless there’s more than 4 people at the register.
I also asked them what I could do better and they told me I needed to be quieter, quicker and less messy but I told them I’m doing the best I can, they said it wasn’t enough.
I don’t know what to do, I think I just get overwhelmed too easily to keep up with that job. :/
Thank you again for taking the time to talk to me btw :)
sleepy218barista 3 points 3y ago
I’m sorry to hear that about you and your family. That much be very rough hearing all thag information at once.
As for the people you work with, They aren’t handling it well. It’s not like that at all starbucks. They shouldn’t tell you these things, that’s not right. They should know best that repetition is what helps you learn at this job. Telling you that , “your best isn’t enough” seems like a form of verbal abuse. Have you talked to your store manager about what they say?
As for the people you work with, They aren’t handling it well. It’s not like that at all starbucks. They shouldn’t tell you these things, that’s not right. They should know best that repetition is what helps you learn at this job. Telling you that , “your best isn’t enough” seems like a form of verbal abuse. Have you talked to your store manager about what they say?
Coffee-n-Convos 2 points 3y ago
I'm not sure if you're eligible for EAP yet, but it might be worth looking into!
I would call partner resources, and see if there's a smaller/slower store you can transfer to or if you can possibly move to a different time of day. (Or be put into better role for your current circumstance, i.e only on reg or DTW during peak, where you are (mostly) planted)
I would call partner resources, and see if there's a smaller/slower store you can transfer to or if you can possibly move to a different time of day. (Or be put into better role for your current circumstance, i.e only on reg or DTW during peak, where you are (mostly) planted)
[deleted] 1 points 3y ago
[deleted]
ginaginabeana 1 points 3y ago
I started in October and I relate so much with what you described! Everything felt so confusing and I thought I was an idiot who couldn’t even figure out the brew cycle. BUT I kept going to my shifts and kept trying my best to find where I was messing up so I could fix it, and now I feel like a strong barista. I think your team is not handling this situation the right way, because you obviously know that you’re struggling. There’s no need for them to point it out. If I were to advise you to quit it would be strictly because it sounds like a toxic environment that’s not encouraging the learning curve that is required for this job. I really hope everything turns out okay! If my dumbass could figure it out, I know you can too! Just takes time.:)
JamesBond06 1 points 3y ago
Quitting is the best advice. Starbucks is very stressful mentally and physically. (Confirmed by a friend that worked for them for 5 years)
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