Hello fellow baristas, I could use some perspective.

**Set-up:**

First, a little bit about me. I'm switching careers after working a previous career for many years and feeling it was not very satisfying. I'm working on a new career and taking online classes to see if I am interested.

I started working at Starbucks to earn some cash on the side and get out of the apartment. I live in an area that is very expensive located to many internet companies. The Starbucks I work at is an easy commute from my apartment. I am close to having enough hours to qualify for medical benefits, working there a little over 3 months.

**State of Affairs**

As I started working at Starbucks near the end of last year. the previous store manager went on a leave of absence. My understanding was this leave of absence would be last for 1-2 months. We have had a temporary store manager come in and help out to do the schedule and payroll. The temporary store manager is busy managing their own store and our store and comes by sparingly.

Since I have started working here, I have noticed a lack of support from upper management for out store's situation. Due to some outstanding personal conflicts, some veteran baristas have quit the store. Management has been having trouble finding new baristas to replace the ones that left.

As things have progressed, we have continued to have low coverage for the store and this has put more pressure on the shift supervisors. Lots of people have been sick this season and it's been hard to find coverage. Many times we have only had 2 baristas working during happy hour for the entire afternoon, or having to close the store early due to lack of coverage or technical issues. Low coverage means the shifts get behind on doing the daily count or ordering items and that rolls onto the next shift to struggle to make up the difference.

This has put a lot of pressure on the shifts supervisors, and they are getting burnt out. 2 out of 4 shift supervisors who have worked there for many years have given their notice. Since I started we have had 6 partners announced they are leaving the store. I try to volunteer/extend my shift times to help cover missing times when possible.

Without a store manager, our store seems to be in limbo. The upper management doesn't seem to be aware of our situation and is a little clueless to what is going. The temporary store manager seems busy with their own store and is not available to help our store when an issue arises. Morale is very low at the store. The original store manager who has yet to return is extending their leave of absence. It is unclear if they will return to the store or move on to another position/company.

**What should I do?**

Without upper management intervention I'm not sure how our store will continue to exist. Working at Starbucks is fine, when we don't have enough baristas the work is really taxing/exhausting. Having no clear store manager and support from Starbucks organization makes it hard to know whom to talk to enact change. I'd like to continue working at this Starbucks, it is nice to have a job again and getting benefits would be a great to stabilizing my life towards a new future.

Is this something I need to report to upper management? How can I do that without burning any bridges? Is it possible to transfer to another store? Have other people experience this at their store? It is time to move on to another opportunity? This area is expensive to live and I see many "Help wanted signs" at other retail stores. I could really use some outside perspective on what to do.

**TLDR**: No store manager for 3 months, lack of support from upper management. We are losing baristas and have low coverage, partners are burnt out and quitting, including 2 shifts supervisors. Would like to continue working to get benefits but not sure if it's time to look for another opportunity.