Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
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Dear Partners Double Trenta Rant (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by [deleted]
271XXXX here,
I'm glad that you are enjoying your job. Really, I am. But there are always going to be people that feel like they aren't getting paid their fair share and fairly so.
It doesn't matter what you think about the situation, it doesn't matter that you feel that "they should just do x", it doesn't matter that "they're not being forced to stay there".
EVERYWHERE isn't paying enough, it's not uniquely Starbucks, so don't be offended that your oh so beloved siren is being criticized. We may not be "forced to work there" as a rude partner has mentioned there, but the bills keep coming and job hunting makes me feel like I'm not good enough. I don't feel good enough fucking anywhere even at Starbucks. I don't feel valued anyway.
You know what DOES make someone feel valued? Paying them enough to FUCKING LIVE. I'm 28, have an associate's degree, PTSD, live alone, more and more suicidal by the day, don't trust my family, don't trust anybody. The LEAST a multibillion dollar company can do is allow me to be financially independent.
Acting like someone is lazy, ungrateful, or entitled for demanding to be treated like a fucking human being is gross. PARTICULARLY when Starbucks' whole FUCKING deal is fostering a culture of warmth and support.
Well, I don't feel supported. I don't feel valued, and I'm tired of not being heard.
If you are a partner, and you act this way towards other partners struggling, you don't deserve the apron. You shouldn't be working at Starbucks.
And I'm tired of being punished for doing all the right things, for speaking out, for giving a shit, for expressing my anger at being mistreated.
Partners, get your act together. I'm tired of you not upholding the culture of warmth and support you signed on for.
I'm glad that you are enjoying your job. Really, I am. But there are always going to be people that feel like they aren't getting paid their fair share and fairly so.
It doesn't matter what you think about the situation, it doesn't matter that you feel that "they should just do x", it doesn't matter that "they're not being forced to stay there".
EVERYWHERE isn't paying enough, it's not uniquely Starbucks, so don't be offended that your oh so beloved siren is being criticized. We may not be "forced to work there" as a rude partner has mentioned there, but the bills keep coming and job hunting makes me feel like I'm not good enough. I don't feel good enough fucking anywhere even at Starbucks. I don't feel valued anyway.
You know what DOES make someone feel valued? Paying them enough to FUCKING LIVE. I'm 28, have an associate's degree, PTSD, live alone, more and more suicidal by the day, don't trust my family, don't trust anybody. The LEAST a multibillion dollar company can do is allow me to be financially independent.
Acting like someone is lazy, ungrateful, or entitled for demanding to be treated like a fucking human being is gross. PARTICULARLY when Starbucks' whole FUCKING deal is fostering a culture of warmth and support.
Well, I don't feel supported. I don't feel valued, and I'm tired of not being heard.
If you are a partner, and you act this way towards other partners struggling, you don't deserve the apron. You shouldn't be working at Starbucks.
And I'm tired of being punished for doing all the right things, for speaking out, for giving a shit, for expressing my anger at being mistreated.
Partners, get your act together. I'm tired of you not upholding the culture of warmth and support you signed on for.
[deleted] [OP] 43 points 3y ago
Yeah the new schedule has me down for 9.5 hours when I’ve been consistently scheduled 15-25. Was told we had to cut hours but 90% of the store has 20hrs+ and we continue to hire people, and we’re paying partners to volunteer in a latte art competition. I have bills to pay. Not cool.
sue234 30 points 3y ago
Ik how you feel. Had a meeting with my SM and she asked why I was picking up more hours every week (usually am at 20+ hours, but have been scheduled for more towards 15) I told her I needed at least 25 hours a week to make rent. The very next schedule to come out I was at 7 hours......the next two following were 10 and 9. I left shortly after and am waiting for a change in managers to go back.
[deleted] [OP] 12 points 3y ago
I’m very sorry to hear that. Unfortunately, where I live it is one of the best places to be employed. I found it to be very hurtful as I opened that store, worked every holiday, work hard to be a team player, and recently had a meeting with the manager in regards to an employee who had basically been bullying the team and I...that employee was scheduled 27 hours. I really love my job and I’m not gonna lie, I cried for two hours straight. I feel very different about Starbucks right now.
potterlyfe 8 points 3y ago
Do you work at my store by any chance? Lol same issue with us. Cutting hour drastically yet they are hiring like we are coming up to a holiday. I’ve been there forever and can’t even get my preferred schedule because I’m ‘to valuable’ not to have during peak but they can’t seem to give me 20 hours a week? That’s all I’m asking for. I have 10 this week.
[deleted] [OP] 5 points 3y ago
GOTTA GET THAT ART LATTE ART POINTS!
*sad barista noises while their stomach growls*
*sad barista noises while their stomach growls*
JEnglish4Life 36 points 3y ago
I feel this deep in my soul.
Kimbo185 28 points 3y ago
It’s a joke that instead of a raise, you get headspace. I know sbux probably got a free package or whatever kind of deal they got was cheaper than to raise the wage. It’s sick. I appreciate you and this post though, wishing you the best.
Lex_a_Latte 17 points 3y ago
I’m not a Siren, but I have been in the coffee industry for over 15 years, always locally owned and locally roasted. This post speaks so close to my heart. What Starbucks shows the world they do - & what they AcTuAlLy Do is not the same.
(This is only MY opinion, please don’t hate on me)
Yes there are other jobs and other places, but when you are doing something you love, you shouldn’t have to fake your happiness, you shouldn’t dread going to work, you shouldn’t feel like at any moment your world could crash because you don’t know if you are going to pay the bills, pay the fuel to get there, or pay for the next emergency that is (almost) always around the corner. I spent a lot of my time in college speaking against this big companies for not doing more for their employees, from bean to cup everyone needs to be paid a livable wage, they make more money than most of us can ever dream of and how do they make it... because we are earning it for them.
Keep your head up, you are worth it, even if some CEO doesn’t agree.
End rant. Sorry!
(This is only MY opinion, please don’t hate on me)
Yes there are other jobs and other places, but when you are doing something you love, you shouldn’t have to fake your happiness, you shouldn’t dread going to work, you shouldn’t feel like at any moment your world could crash because you don’t know if you are going to pay the bills, pay the fuel to get there, or pay for the next emergency that is (almost) always around the corner. I spent a lot of my time in college speaking against this big companies for not doing more for their employees, from bean to cup everyone needs to be paid a livable wage, they make more money than most of us can ever dream of and how do they make it... because we are earning it for them.
Keep your head up, you are worth it, even if some CEO doesn’t agree.
End rant. Sorry!
Wonderful_Nightmare 16 points 3y ago
This company is NOT worth your stress. This company CAN and SHOULD do more for us partners. There are no excuses. Leave this place for a higher paying job. This place does not care about you, don't fall for its lies. Best of luck mate, I sincerely wish you well.
PhenomenalPhoenix 12 points 3y ago
Completely serious, saying the rick and Morty line “every breath I take without your permission raises my self esteem” towards/at Starbucks feels actually really good even if there is no one around to hear you say it because it seriously feels like Starbucks couldn’t care less if us baristas have a home/eat/died/etc or not. I just like to repeat that line in my head while I’m at work. Especially while dealing with Karens
the-awkward-barista 10 points 3y ago
>I'm 28, have an associate's degree, PTSD, live alone, more and more suicidal by the day, don't trust my family, don't trust anybody. The LEAST a multibillion dollar company can do is allow me to be financially independent.
Holy fuck. Did I type this in my sleep? I'm in the exact same situation. That's... kinda scary.
And I feel you 100%. You deserve to be valued, you deserve to be paid enough to, not only survive, but to thrive. You deserve to be recognized for your hard work. Because yes, we do work very hard. The labour cuts, the stress of working fast while having "genuine conversations" with customers, the cleaning (oh gosh ALL the cleaning we have to do it's never fucking ending), the abuse we receive from rude customers... The list goes on.
I feel you and I support you. Know that you're not alone and that you ARE important! It's not much but I hope it helps to know that. Loads of love, stay strong!
Holy fuck. Did I type this in my sleep? I'm in the exact same situation. That's... kinda scary.
And I feel you 100%. You deserve to be valued, you deserve to be paid enough to, not only survive, but to thrive. You deserve to be recognized for your hard work. Because yes, we do work very hard. The labour cuts, the stress of working fast while having "genuine conversations" with customers, the cleaning (oh gosh ALL the cleaning we have to do it's never fucking ending), the abuse we receive from rude customers... The list goes on.
I feel you and I support you. Know that you're not alone and that you ARE important! It's not much but I hope it helps to know that. Loads of love, stay strong!
[deleted] [OP] 3 points 3y ago
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the-awkward-barista 3 points 3y ago
I'm lucky enough to have an amazing team and manager, but I understand that we may be the exception and not the rule tho. I never did a borrowed shift, but some of my partners did and they told me how lucky we are to have such a tight knit and efficient team. That being said, I'm not sure I'd be as willing to continue working for the siren if it weren't for them. Tho I have to admit it would be super hard for me to find something else as I suffer from massive anxiety and it was stressful enough just to land this job (which, let's be honest, is not the hardest job to land if we consider I was a freelance translator beforehand and had to network a lot for contracts).
showtunesaboutbacon 9 points 3y ago
👏👏🙌🙌
sue234 8 points 3y ago
You know what I’ve noticed? All the people who say those things are usually (revealed through post/comment history) shifts and managers. You can just tell by how stuck up they act and high and mighty. Like great for you Susan, you get paid more than minimum wage and get to go to Seattle, now why don’t you try living like a normal barista for once. I totally know how you feel, and most us regular baristas for as well. You are not alone, don’t forget that. Maybe someone should form a special subreddit for baristas to talk about their issues without being criticized by those who have it better/been graced with “the mighty Starbucks” support no matter what stupid thing they do.
phaniep4ck 5 points 3y ago
Shift here, and I just want to say I fully agree with OP. I’d like to promote (because I feel stuck and I’ve been here seven years and please pay me more god I have so many bills) but if I was ever in the position to promote I would do what I can to advocate for my partners at all times. I already try to, but managers in this area have been quoted, on record, saying things like “sometimes you have to put the needs of the business ahead of the partners.” It’s disheartening and exhausting to face every day. We all deserve so much more, and so much better.
[deleted] [OP] 2 points 3y ago
I am honestly considering that. Though the mods are gonna have their hands full trying to police the sub if I made it.
sue234 2 points 3y ago
Lol possibly
phaniep4ck 7 points 3y ago
Hey op. You deserve better. We all do.
Stay strong.
Stay strong.
[deleted] [OP] 5 points 3y ago
You too!
Peebles46 6 points 3y ago
I just lost my benefits eligibility because my hours have gone down so drastically. I work two jobs and I’m a third-year in university.
I’m complaining until something is done.
I’m complaining until something is done.
[deleted] [OP] 4 points 3y ago
Exactly.
It's literally life and death and people are acting like "YOU GOTTA BE GRATEFUL FOR THIS COMPANY!" and I'm like...for?
What? Giving me a low wage job and assuming that I'm gonna suck the Siren's dick just because they feel like the BeNEFiTS aRE CHEaP. None of us can pay for it with that shitass wage. None of us can hit those DT goals without our minds and bodies giving out. None of us actually positively can attest to paying the rent with this wage.
Not all of us can work three jobs, pay rent, and go to school. And it's an asshole move to keep saying "YOU CAN DO IT!"
Or my personal bane of existence "It sounds like you DON'T DESERVE MORE HOURS BECAUSE YOU DROPPED MONEY AT THE DRIVE THRU AND DIDN'T REACH DOWN AND PICK UP THE MONEY Y U NO GIVE RECOVERY CARD????!"
Because we don't get paid enough for this shit.
It's literally life and death and people are acting like "YOU GOTTA BE GRATEFUL FOR THIS COMPANY!" and I'm like...for?
What? Giving me a low wage job and assuming that I'm gonna suck the Siren's dick just because they feel like the BeNEFiTS aRE CHEaP. None of us can pay for it with that shitass wage. None of us can hit those DT goals without our minds and bodies giving out. None of us actually positively can attest to paying the rent with this wage.
Not all of us can work three jobs, pay rent, and go to school. And it's an asshole move to keep saying "YOU CAN DO IT!"
Or my personal bane of existence "It sounds like you DON'T DESERVE MORE HOURS BECAUSE YOU DROPPED MONEY AT THE DRIVE THRU AND DIDN'T REACH DOWN AND PICK UP THE MONEY Y U NO GIVE RECOVERY CARD????!"
Because we don't get paid enough for this shit.
Peebles46 4 points 3y ago
The DT goals thing is probably the bane of my existence.
I also asked for a promotion or a raise and I got “barista trainer” because of the bonus but no one at my store has seen a cent of trainer bonus since we opened our store.
I also asked for a promotion or a raise and I got “barista trainer” because of the bonus but no one at my store has seen a cent of trainer bonus since we opened our store.
[deleted] [OP] 6 points 3y ago
Yup. That's Starbucks' way of basically getting a shift without paying them. They're giving you more responsibilities ON TOP OF the ridiculous shit regular baristas put up with and expecting to pay you less just so they can SAve MoNEY.
This is their version of Head Delivery Driver.
Except worse.
This is their version of Head Delivery Driver.
Except worse.
Peebles46 7 points 3y ago
Yeah I’m at 245XXXX at it took over two years to just get this bullshit deal
caetness 6 points 3y ago
Hey. I have those days too. Know somebody in this world needs your story. Don’t rob them of the ending. We can do this. ;
sadxtortion 4 points 3y ago
I’ve been where you are but with a different company. It’s always hard to leave especially when you don’t have something lined up and you have bills upon bills to pay. I felt trapped by this vicious cycle with my mental health declining while working a job that made me beyond miserable. I finally left without a back up job, barely any money to pay my bills and so much uncertainty but I was able to finally have peace in my life. I was able to wake up looking forward to the day rather than it being over. I no longer dreaded going to work for a company I absolutely despised. Everyone is different and what worked for me may not work for you but you need to take a leap in to the unknown to get out of that toxicity. Apply anywhere left and right even if the pay may not be the same or it’s outside your skill set. It doesn’t hurt to give them a shot and eventually you’ll find your way out. Best of luck
[deleted] [OP] 4 points 3y ago
KEEP PREACHING YOU WONDERFUL HUMAN
parrksy 3 points 3y ago
I agree with you completely. It’s also a bit annoying when people don’t take me seriously at my store just bc I’m not a supervisor or have less years of experience then the partners who have been there for 5+ years. It’s especially annoying when most of management has been with the company less then you have (not to discredit their accomplishments of working their way up but). My store honestly acts like a stereotypical highschool, there’s the popular and then there’s everyone else who’s actually good at their job. There’s just so much drama. Like you my hours have been weird, fortunately I’ve been meeting the bare minimum to pay for everything but nothing is constant anymore. I recently change my availability to see if that helps but I honestly doubt it at this point. I’ve been looking for other jobs bc even being with this company longer than you it’s getting a bit out of hand. I used to love this job, it meant everything to me and I could probably stand behind the company’s so called values. Now I dread every single second of it. If a job is causing you to have panic attacks in the middle of your shifts or leaves you to just cry in your car during lunches it’s not worth it anymore.
[deleted] [OP] 3 points 3y ago
Trust me, I wish I could "just leave". But bills keep coming and people don't value me or my time.
So...
So...
JonFawkes3 3 points 3y ago
I would 100% email corporate with the way you feel. Hell maybe copy and paste this post to keep it genuine. They have emailed me back quickly in the past with meaningful responses. I am sorry you are being treated this way. You could always schedule a meeting with your manager to just vent your frustrations, and see if they are willing to help you out in any way that they can. If they aren’t; maybe it is time to transfer stores? Meeting with my manager has also worked for me in the past I will say. Honestly I think emailing corporate and getting your manager to listen to what you would have to say would make you feel much better. Reddit can only take you so far. I am sorry you do feel these things. Believe me, I’ve been there, and I should’ve spoken up more when I was in that position.
Edit: if you do copy and paste maybe get rid of the curse words.
Edit: if you do copy and paste maybe get rid of the curse words.
shutupchrissy 3 points 3y ago
I wanna plaster this in my store
rosallia 3 points 3y ago
I'm here for you as a partner who also has ptsd.
[deleted] [OP] 4 points 3y ago
PTSD is nuts and I hate it.
You ever mistook it as a heart attack and had to go to the ER?
You ever mistook it as a heart attack and had to go to the ER?
[deleted] [OP] 2 points 3y ago
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MoonglowMaiden 2 points 3y ago
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centarx -1 points 3y ago
I am a barista. You are lucky to work for a company that has a philosophy to give partners as little clopens as possible and as many consistent schedules as possible. It literally says that where the managers post your schedule. This company has done so much for me. When I cut myself on a knife that I expected was dull but they got a new one unexpectedly (my fault 100%), I got the rest of the week off plus a big check. Managers give hours to the best baristas first. That’s how it works. I’m considering becoming a shift after school so I’ve asked a lot of questions about the process. Their goal is to have the store running as best as possible. After labor cuts they have to choose who deserves hours. You do not deserve hours just for working there. They are paying you. You are working for them. If you don’t like it, then keep your Starbucks benefits while you look for a new job. If your management isn’t following the schedule making policy then don’t rant about it on reddit, call partner resources or your DM because they want the store to run as best as it can. My suspicion, however, is that they aren’t doing anything wrong because why else would you come here to criticize the company compared to where people can actually provide assistance?
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