Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
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COVID-19 hasn't hit it's peak in our area, and we're returning to work (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by throwaway1209340987
Yes, I am incredibly thankful for the 1 month+ of paid time at home. Yes, I'm incredibly thankful for the extra $3/hour through may. I'm very thankful that I still have my job, and that my company is trying. But this doesn't mean that my not-so-happy feelings about Starbucks are invalid.
We are officially back to work on May 4th, I believe we are open to the public on the 5th. I love my bosses, I love my fellow shifts, I love my baristas, and I am so broken up about us going back to work so soon. While we will be DT-only, wearing masks, etc., but COVID-19 hasn't even peaked in our state yet. While it was amazing to have that month of social distancing that surely helped a lot of people, but the surge of COVID-19 in our area is predicted in mid-May, or even mid-June.
In our state and county, Starbucks meets the criteria for essential businesses, so we can legally be open. Social distancing and stay at home measures are not being enforced. Our numbers looked better when there was enough fear to keep people at home, but earlier in the month, many people decided that the risk was low enough that they could resume life as normal, which is, of course, putting themselves and everyone else at high risk.
So, what happens when COVID-19 inevitably hits our community, hard, and \~35 of us are still coming into contact daily with each other and with the public? How many of us will get sick? I know that I can use my sick and vacation time, but it's not like I have months saved up, only a few days. I know that I can apply for a leave of absence, but I can't not get paid. I don't qualify for the stimulus check. I know that, at the end of the day, Starbucks is a business that has to be open to function. But at what cost? We have already used our one month, and the worst is yet to come. Will they let us close again, or do we just have to suck it up?
I'm scared for me, I'm scared for my coworkers and my community. I've thought about writing a letter to corporate, but what can I even say? It's not like I have a solution, either. I guess, if nothing else, this qualifies as a rant/cry for help. Even if you can only commiserate, I appreciate any input I can get. I'm just feeling dejected and disheartened. I don't know where to go from here.
We are officially back to work on May 4th, I believe we are open to the public on the 5th. I love my bosses, I love my fellow shifts, I love my baristas, and I am so broken up about us going back to work so soon. While we will be DT-only, wearing masks, etc., but COVID-19 hasn't even peaked in our state yet. While it was amazing to have that month of social distancing that surely helped a lot of people, but the surge of COVID-19 in our area is predicted in mid-May, or even mid-June.
In our state and county, Starbucks meets the criteria for essential businesses, so we can legally be open. Social distancing and stay at home measures are not being enforced. Our numbers looked better when there was enough fear to keep people at home, but earlier in the month, many people decided that the risk was low enough that they could resume life as normal, which is, of course, putting themselves and everyone else at high risk.
So, what happens when COVID-19 inevitably hits our community, hard, and \~35 of us are still coming into contact daily with each other and with the public? How many of us will get sick? I know that I can use my sick and vacation time, but it's not like I have months saved up, only a few days. I know that I can apply for a leave of absence, but I can't not get paid. I don't qualify for the stimulus check. I know that, at the end of the day, Starbucks is a business that has to be open to function. But at what cost? We have already used our one month, and the worst is yet to come. Will they let us close again, or do we just have to suck it up?
I'm scared for me, I'm scared for my coworkers and my community. I've thought about writing a letter to corporate, but what can I even say? It's not like I have a solution, either. I guess, if nothing else, this qualifies as a rant/cry for help. Even if you can only commiserate, I appreciate any input I can get. I'm just feeling dejected and disheartened. I don't know where to go from here.
ReEliseYT 22 points 3y ago
I have the same concerns to. I’m dreading going back to work. I really don’t want to get sick or die for Becky BMW latte. I use to really like working here, now I’m terrified to go back. I know we aren’t alone in this, my friends who work at Panera have been saying the same things. I wish I had something more constructive to say, but you are certainly not alone.
throwaway1209340987 [OP] 8 points 3y ago
My frustration is so huge, my fear so overwhelming, and it’s exhausting constantly being bombarded with, “You should be thankful to have a job!” Or “You’re lucky they’re paying you at all!” I am thankful, I know I’m lucky, but I still don’t think that this situation is right. I don’t know what I can expect Starbucks to do about it. I love my job. I love my benefits. I love my coworkers. But is an underpaying, non-career, part-time job worth risking my health for? Starbucks doesn’t even pay enough to cover my hospital bills if I *do* get COVID-19.
throwaway1209340987 [OP] 11 points 3y ago
They treat us well enough for us to stay, but not well enough that we don’t have to ask for more. I feel like I have no choice in the matter. I *have* to put my own health on the line for a company that thinks I deserve like $13/hour as a supervisor.
VenetianKhloe 9 points 3y ago
I heard they are talking about extending it past May 4th, hoping it’s true
throwaway1209340987 [OP] 5 points 3y ago
I hope so. At least for the areas where the worst hasn’t yet passed.
iso_inane 5 points 3y ago
I just started working at sbux before we closed. we are scheduled to open back up may 4th and no customers are allowed in and we dont have a drive through. mobile order only. my manager is super concerned about keeping us safe and is only scheduling 3 of us in planted positions and we rotate every once in awhile. gloves, masks, goggles, and hes gonna let me wear my visor in addition to that. i actually feel safe about going back, and usually i am terrified of the idea of leaving my house. but now your post is making me anxious again.... i just feel good that there will be no customers, few of us, and all wearing masks. if someone takes off their mask or complains about it i will refuse to work. i need to know that i am being protected. and also... i feel for you. no idea why starbucks is opening so soon and why they think they are an essential business. before we closed a lady came in and said she didnt know what shed do without\* our coffee and thank god we were open. and it really did feel like i was risking my life. but my manager had a zoom call with us and it seems like everyone is doing their part to keep us all safe.
throwaway1209340987 [OP] 3 points 3y ago
It’s nice that you’re mobile only! My store will be DT/mobile only. My store is taking the same precautions as yours, but a few more partners on at a time because we usually do a LOT of business.
I’m sorry, I’m not trying to spread anxiety or fear. That’s the last thing I want to do. I know most of our bosses and coworkers have our best interests at heart and would do anything to keep us safe. I know mine would. But their hands are tied, too. They also have to work to get paid, and have to do what corporate says to keep their jobs.
I’m just afraid. We’re all afraid, I think. Or most of us. There’s so much uncertainty. At this point, we are still learning new things about COVID-19 every day. We still don’t know all of the risks that come with it, how long it will last, if it will come back repeatedly, or when we will have access to a vaccine. And that’s scary.
With all the uncertainty, working at all (even with as many precautions as possible) doesn’t make me feel safe. My store has ~35 partners. Even though only a few will be working at once, it’s inevitable that we are coming into contact with all 35. And all the people that those 35 people come into a contact with a daily basis. Plus the customers we will come into contact with.
How do we know that all 35 partners are doing their part to stay safe and socially distance outside of work? We don’t. How do we know that all of our partners are negative for COVID-19 if they can’t get tested? We don’t. If someone *did* get tested and was negative, how do we know they haven’t become positive since that time? We don’t. We literally have no control over this. And that’s horrifying to me.
At home, I have two roommates. None of us go out unless we have to. We’ve been doing things like grocery pickup to minimize time out, even doing essential things. To go from daily contact with 2 people to 35+ is a huge, huge, difference in risk. And I just don’t feel ready for that, knowing that we haven’t even hit our peak number of cases yet.
I’m sorry, I’m not trying to spread anxiety or fear. That’s the last thing I want to do. I know most of our bosses and coworkers have our best interests at heart and would do anything to keep us safe. I know mine would. But their hands are tied, too. They also have to work to get paid, and have to do what corporate says to keep their jobs.
I’m just afraid. We’re all afraid, I think. Or most of us. There’s so much uncertainty. At this point, we are still learning new things about COVID-19 every day. We still don’t know all of the risks that come with it, how long it will last, if it will come back repeatedly, or when we will have access to a vaccine. And that’s scary.
With all the uncertainty, working at all (even with as many precautions as possible) doesn’t make me feel safe. My store has ~35 partners. Even though only a few will be working at once, it’s inevitable that we are coming into contact with all 35. And all the people that those 35 people come into a contact with a daily basis. Plus the customers we will come into contact with.
How do we know that all 35 partners are doing their part to stay safe and socially distance outside of work? We don’t. How do we know that all of our partners are negative for COVID-19 if they can’t get tested? We don’t. If someone *did* get tested and was negative, how do we know they haven’t become positive since that time? We don’t. We literally have no control over this. And that’s horrifying to me.
At home, I have two roommates. None of us go out unless we have to. We’ve been doing things like grocery pickup to minimize time out, even doing essential things. To go from daily contact with 2 people to 35+ is a huge, huge, difference in risk. And I just don’t feel ready for that, knowing that we haven’t even hit our peak number of cases yet.
iso_inane 3 points 3y ago
Dont apologize, i know you weren't trying to spread anxiety. you're just venting about your fear. you're right. it is very scary. and the thought that who knows if people are practicing social distancing and proper handwashing outside of the job... but it really does comfort me to know everyone is required to wear masks because if they are sick, its much less chance of affecting anyone else. i am worried too, believe me. let's try our best to focus on what we can do. let's do our best. it's all we can do. that, and i believe in prayer. i wish you calming thoughts and safety. we will make it out of this alive. humans are very strong. look at history. we are going to make it out alright. <3
NOTcreative- 4 points 3y ago
If you’re still having severe anxiety I believe your eligible for CAT pay till the end of May. Every shift for every barista now starts with a wellness check with temp and virtual coach. If any partner comes in and reads a temp of 100.4 or higher everyone is sent home and the store is closed. Starbucks is on an operating model using best practices based in facts and science to keep their partners safe.
lillyloveswriting 2 points 3y ago
I live in South Florida where Miami is the place with the most cases and my area seems to be getting worse day by day with more major testing sites opening around my store. The day before taking catastrophe pay there were 700 cases confirmed in the area. Yet, my store is still opened and my partners who were willing to stay are opening at 7 am (usually 5:30am) with a line wrapped around the store with three openers.
They say that it could get worse and we’re not yet at its peak. Which is bonkers!
I agree with you, if they extended the catastrophe pay then heck yeah I’m taking it.
They say that it could get worse and we’re not yet at its peak. Which is bonkers!
I agree with you, if they extended the catastrophe pay then heck yeah I’m taking it.
qctheqc 1 points 3y ago
Totally agree with you.
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