Communication between district managers and baristas is nearly nonexistent

I’ve literally never spoken to my DM, except for when she came to my store once. I’ve been a partner for a year now. She stood by our kiosk and was observing others without introducing herself. I knew who she was so I said hi. Yeah, our DM doesn’t really communicate with us.

I don't understand why Starbucks bothers with DMs. I mean, I had a paycheck problem that was 100% my managers fault. I contacted my manager, who didn't know how to fix it and just "forgot." I contacted partner resources who told me to take it up again with my manager. Manager refused help saying it was too late. Partner resources told me to contact district manager to assist with problem. Called district manager who snapped at me and told me that dealing with partner pay problems was not part of their job. The best quote of the conversation was "I don't understand why you think you can call me." I had to call partner resources again and inform them i would be taking it up with the state since I was not being paid for time worked. DM then yells at me in store for making them do an investigation.


Different DM: I report directly to DM that manager harassing baristas, swearing, screaming across the store, throwing things, etc. DM ignores complaints. I report to PCC future complaints. DM threatens write up for "not following proper channels." Same DM shows up at my store and throws a hissy fit because another partner "reported to them" that i said dm was shitty and lazy and ignored problems. Spends 30 minutes gaslighting and saying that bad store managers aren't a reflection of how they do their job.

I rarely see her. One day she came in to my store and walked up to me and ordered her latte and said she had partner numbers and then that’s how she introduced herself to me. I thought that was weird

DMs rarely have communication with baristas other than to say hello on a store visit. Or to try to resolve a problem that a SM can't resolve. Even most SSVs in my district rarely have a chance to communicate with the DM. Unless you're being considered for a promotion my DM just has bigger things to work on. They're open to communication, but DMs expect to only deal with things that SMs and SSVs can't resolve within their own store.

I'm one of the few baristas to semi regularly see my DM but its cause my SM is on track to become one i believe so they work somewhat closely. But MANY of the partners in my store haven't ever met her nor do they even know what she looks like. I got lucky cause i had NO idea who she was and i had a reeeeaaalllllyyyyy good day on bar and got some clout
So yeah communication on a whole to baristas as a SSV now I hear A LOT more information regularly than i ever heard as a barista