Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
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Am I fired...? (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by HipstersThrowaway
My manager called me to the back after my shift today (I've been there a couple weeks) and started shouting at me about how I;
Don't make this job a priority,
Don't connect with customers (which I don't get considering we only service the front door, and I haven't really put on that station)
Have an attitude and tone issue (something I seriously don't understand, I'm perfectly cordial and don't make sarcastic or mean spirited remarks, ever.)
She said she "doesn't see this working out" and that "she would have a chat with her boss about letting me go"
I'm pretty frustrated. She's been very intense and critical with me since day one and if I had any proof I'd say she was being prejudiced or something. I haven't missed any shifts or even spilled a drink, and my trainers seemed to like me and gave no hint of agreeing with her.
Edit: contacted the PCC and waiting on a reply from my district manager.
Don't make this job a priority,
Don't connect with customers (which I don't get considering we only service the front door, and I haven't really put on that station)
Have an attitude and tone issue (something I seriously don't understand, I'm perfectly cordial and don't make sarcastic or mean spirited remarks, ever.)
She said she "doesn't see this working out" and that "she would have a chat with her boss about letting me go"
I'm pretty frustrated. She's been very intense and critical with me since day one and if I had any proof I'd say she was being prejudiced or something. I haven't missed any shifts or even spilled a drink, and my trainers seemed to like me and gave no hint of agreeing with her.
Edit: contacted the PCC and waiting on a reply from my district manager.
Jewicer 41 points 3y ago
I mean, if they said they were letting you go then... :/ If you think it’s unjust, I’d contact PCC
SkinnyVanilly 17 points 3y ago
☝️ this is about the only thing I think you could do in reality. Although, if that is how your SM is treating yourself and other partners I might try your luck at a different location?
POWderblisscuit 30 points 3y ago
Non-barista lurker here. I'm sure there are PLENTY of small, locally-owned cafes that would LOVE to have your skills and expertise. You may be surprised to learn that, outside of your current employment situation, there are entire cafes free of entitled pre-diabetic Karens that truly appreciate a damn good cup of coffee.
HipstersThrowaway [OP] 6 points 3y ago
Thanks :)
Pitiful_Arugula 20 points 3y ago
I’m sorry that happened to you! Have you had any write ups or coaching about this? Or was it just completely out of the blue
HipstersThrowaway [OP] 16 points 3y ago
She gave me a verbal warning and consistently told me to "have a better attitude/tone" but I genuinely was not aggressive or rude at all and was as professional as I could be.
nate_smithws 18 points 3y ago
If you truly believe she is prejudiced then you need to reach out to PCC. If you simply believe that the firing isn’t unjust and that you are performing your responsibilities and have a good attitude then I suggest you reach out to your district manager and explain the situation and possibly discuss a transfer to another store.
HipstersThrowaway [OP] 7 points 3y ago
I want to but I feel like it would backfire somehow or lead nowhere. She's really intimidating and I wouldn't be surprised if they just overlook one shy and timid ex-barista who didn't have the right personality.
I didn't miss any shifts and did my job well, but I do have a problem connecting. I'm just surprised they didn't give me more time to adjust and learn, it's been two weeks and I'm trying to change a lifetime of being scared of strangers and interaction.
I didn't miss any shifts and did my job well, but I do have a problem connecting. I'm just surprised they didn't give me more time to adjust and learn, it's been two weeks and I'm trying to change a lifetime of being scared of strangers and interaction.
nate_smithws 15 points 3y ago
Ok you didn’t even mention the fact that it has been only two weeks. There is no way that I would expect any of my baristas to adjust and become perfect connectors in a mere two weeks. Some people just don’t make natural connections and so it takes time to learn.
Is it your DM who is intimidating or just your SM?
Is it your DM who is intimidating or just your SM?
asphyxiat3xx 3 points 3y ago
My thoughts exactly. I didnt come out of my shell until a good few months into SBux.
HipstersThrowaway [OP] 3 points 3y ago
I haven't met my district manager (my store manager might be the DM I'm not sure)
nate_smithws 6 points 3y ago
Ok, your store manager is an SM, and your district manager is a DM, it’s just the first letter of each of the words.
But your district manager (DM) is your store manager’s (SM’s) Voss. He/she is in charge of all the store managers/stores in your “district” or area.
But your district manager (DM) is your store manager’s (SM’s) Voss. He/she is in charge of all the store managers/stores in your “district” or area.
StrawberryElk 2 points 3y ago
Honestly, I'm in the same boat.(non barista lurker) I was terrified of people and realize my first job shouldn't have been at a Walmart. 🤣 I did Instacart, now just on and off, and I flourished. I'm still awkward as shit to non-customers but I'm getting there. I went from terrified to realizing I just really don't like people. Who knew.
HipstersThrowaway [OP] 1 points 3y ago
I just wanted the opportunity to get there honestly.
pupsandcoffee 6 points 3y ago
Contact someone such as the district manager or human resources (PCC) because I would hate for something like this to happen to anyone else! Plus, you need to save your job. If you enjoy being a barista at sbux and coffee is something you are passionate about, fight for it! Some SMs just don't understand how to talk to others and it honestly sounds like this manager has some serious anger and control issues that have nothing to do with you. Don't be afraid to talk to someone higher up. You got this!!! 😊☕
iloveanimals- 3 points 3y ago
Does anyone think that the manager is firing OP so they don’t have to choose a preference ? Just a thought bc the company is trying to cut down on labor anyway
suenologia 1 points 3y ago
this is exactly what it sounded like to me. there’s no way a manager would tear into a newbie like this unless it was intentionally to cut their losses with labor getting scaled back. either that or the SM or store culture is toxic but after two weeks? seems off
JonFawkes3 2 points 3y ago
This is one of those situations where it is hard to help or offer advice given we don’t get both sides. But yeah PCC if you feel you have been treated unfairly.
star_pants 2 points 3y ago
So one of my old managers had a similar "conversation" with an old partner. The partner then thought they had been fired and spent a few days freaking out over it.
Nobody else in the store had been told, and the partner didn't show up to their next shift. They got written up as a no call no show and the manager pretended like the call hadn't gone anything like the partner said and that he was just confused, and played it off like she was such a great manager for only writing him up.
I fully believed his story though because of the way my manager was and how manipulative they were. I'm not saying that's what you're is doing, but it wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility, especially with all the labor cuts right now.
So my suggestion to you is to check partner hours and see if you're still scheduled, and call PCC.
Nobody else in the store had been told, and the partner didn't show up to their next shift. They got written up as a no call no show and the manager pretended like the call hadn't gone anything like the partner said and that he was just confused, and played it off like she was such a great manager for only writing him up.
I fully believed his story though because of the way my manager was and how manipulative they were. I'm not saying that's what you're is doing, but it wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility, especially with all the labor cuts right now.
So my suggestion to you is to check partner hours and see if you're still scheduled, and call PCC.
HipstersThrowaway [OP] 1 points 3y ago
I am still scheduled and I'm keeping an eye on it. I plan to go in unless I get a call telling me I'm fired. Calling PCC so that it is on record is a good idea, thank you.
star_pants 2 points 3y ago
Also get out of that store. There is no excuse that your manager had to call you on your own time to yell at you. We "technically" can't even have group chats because being expected to respond could be taken as being "on call" and time worked is time paid.
It's not only not allowed, but incredibly manipulative and abusive. If you want to work for Starbucks then I suggest transfer out ASAP. Maybe pick up some shifts at other stores? You can learn a lot about potentially rotten managers that way by rumors.
It's not only not allowed, but incredibly manipulative and abusive. If you want to work for Starbucks then I suggest transfer out ASAP. Maybe pick up some shifts at other stores? You can learn a lot about potentially rotten managers that way by rumors.
JCaligirl420 2 points 3y ago
Sounds like you need to get out of that store ASAP.
Chilebeans1 2 points 3y ago
Not making any assumptions but these are common criticisms of women of color. My sister and I have gotten them many times. I agree that looking for another job with a company that takes these things seriously is a great solution (Starbucks barista)
HipstersThrowaway [OP] 2 points 3y ago
I'm white-ish. She's a blue eyed blond WASP so idk what that entails. I doubt it's about racism in this scenario
darkwolf523 1 points 3y ago
Hey better than my store. Had someone call out 3 times before his 69 days was up. Which is bullshit but it’s whatever
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