Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
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Trenta Rant, no ice. (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by Arianasagapo
I contemplated not even venting about this and just letting it go, but it’s been annoying me so I’ll just post to get it off my back. So I work in a very small yet very high volume store. Wednesday’s and Thursday’s tend to be our busiest days. My SM decided to call out last Thursday with no notice and with out finding us any coverage. We were super short handed and that was just a shift from hell. My SM’s reasoning for calling off was because he had a headache. I have headaches almost every other shift. I WISH I had the luxury of calling off last minute because I have a headache. But anyway, that’s still not my reason for this post—
A few weeks back, I was feeling really under the weather. I had symptoms of COVID & I felt that I needed to get a COVID test. (I’m fine, I just have asthma that acts up a bit more with the change in weather) I tried to call out for my shift, that was the next day, giving them at least 16 hours to find coverage. I explained that I was experiencing symptoms related to COVID and that I wanted to go get a COVID test. My boss said I cannot call off last minute unless I find coverage for myself. He told me to ask 4 partners at my store, which I did and they all said no. I reported back to him that they all declined and he told me I have no choice but to come in.
Do I have a right to be mad or am I mad for no reason?
-An angry barista
A few weeks back, I was feeling really under the weather. I had symptoms of COVID & I felt that I needed to get a COVID test. (I’m fine, I just have asthma that acts up a bit more with the change in weather) I tried to call out for my shift, that was the next day, giving them at least 16 hours to find coverage. I explained that I was experiencing symptoms related to COVID and that I wanted to go get a COVID test. My boss said I cannot call off last minute unless I find coverage for myself. He told me to ask 4 partners at my store, which I did and they all said no. I reported back to him that they all declined and he told me I have no choice but to come in.
Do I have a right to be mad or am I mad for no reason?
-An angry barista
[deleted] 15 points 2y ago
Depending on how your manager is scheduled in the system, they’re not supposed to be counted as part of your floor. It’s only if they’re specifically scheduled as floor coverage that them calling out should effect how your play is run. My manager is very, very rarely scheduled as coverage on the floor despite the fact that he spends at least 30 hours a week in our store.
Now, for you calling out, it’s simply a matter of being aware of the policy and not backing down. I will try to find the link, but if you go onto the Partner Hub, even the limited one you can access from home, you should be able to search for the Partner Guide and find the call out policy. It specifies that with limited notice (I don’t remember if it’s 24 or 48 hours) due to sickness or an emergency, it’s your manager’s responsibility to find coverage. Find that policy. Quote it at your manager. Don’t go into work.
Really become familiar with the Partner Hub. Managers won’t be forthright with information that doesn’t help them, but it’s all readily available.
Now, for you calling out, it’s simply a matter of being aware of the policy and not backing down. I will try to find the link, but if you go onto the Partner Hub, even the limited one you can access from home, you should be able to search for the Partner Guide and find the call out policy. It specifies that with limited notice (I don’t remember if it’s 24 or 48 hours) due to sickness or an emergency, it’s your manager’s responsibility to find coverage. Find that policy. Quote it at your manager. Don’t go into work.
Really become familiar with the Partner Hub. Managers won’t be forthright with information that doesn’t help them, but it’s all readily available.
Arianasagapo [OP] 5 points 2y ago
Before anything, I love your name lol.
My manager schedules himself to be on the floor with us Atleast 2 times a week and there are other days where he just stays in the back to do admin stuff. This day was specifically a day where he was supposed to be on the floor with us. He left my shift supervisor with just me and a green bean. Luckily he asked another partner who was coming in to come earlier, and I had to stay a little passed my time.
Looking back I wish I quoted that policy then and there but I wasn’t really thinking about that, I was just a bit more in shock that he told me I have to come in. Looking back now, What if I did have covid? I’m usually the main bar partner for the morning shifts and I could have potentially got a lot of people sick. And I know there are other partners at my store that call out every other week and take advantage, but I literally NEVER call out. I’m always on time and I rarely request off.
My manager schedules himself to be on the floor with us Atleast 2 times a week and there are other days where he just stays in the back to do admin stuff. This day was specifically a day where he was supposed to be on the floor with us. He left my shift supervisor with just me and a green bean. Luckily he asked another partner who was coming in to come earlier, and I had to stay a little passed my time.
Looking back I wish I quoted that policy then and there but I wasn’t really thinking about that, I was just a bit more in shock that he told me I have to come in. Looking back now, What if I did have covid? I’m usually the main bar partner for the morning shifts and I could have potentially got a lot of people sick. And I know there are other partners at my store that call out every other week and take advantage, but I literally NEVER call out. I’m always on time and I rarely request off.
[deleted] 5 points 2y ago
Lol thanks.
It may be worth contact PRC or possibly even Ethics & Compliance. You obviously make a handful of good points and as an immunocompromised partner, I personally have a lot of issues people being pressured to work while sick.
I also find that one of the best responses (when you can’t find words) is to repeat the request back to them. “Just to be clear, you still want me to work despite the fact that I’m exhibiting COVID symptoms?”
But yeah. You have every right to be annoyed.
It may be worth contact PRC or possibly even Ethics & Compliance. You obviously make a handful of good points and as an immunocompromised partner, I personally have a lot of issues people being pressured to work while sick.
I also find that one of the best responses (when you can’t find words) is to repeat the request back to them. “Just to be clear, you still want me to work despite the fact that I’m exhibiting COVID symptoms?”
But yeah. You have every right to be annoyed.
SchemingPancake 3 points 2y ago
Calling Ethics and Compliance might be a good idea. I don’t know how big of an issue you want to make out of this, but my partner who I live with is immunocompromised as well, so this makes me angry on so many levels. Cuz yeah, besides the fact SBUX policy is on your side (which it is. That’s literally part of your manager’s job description), what if you did have COVID?!
Arianasagapo [OP] 2 points 2y ago
I don’t want to take it further right now because it’s been a few weeks since the incident happened. But if it happens again I am definitely contacting Partner Resources. For now I am documenting what happened so I can remember for future reference if it happens again.
SchemingPancake 2 points 2y ago
Makes sense. Good luck to you!
jae459 4 points 2y ago
You definitely have a right to be mad. If I remember correctly, as long as you notify your SM properly (i.e. call not text) it is THEIR responsibility to find coverage. You can offer to help find coverage but it absolutely not on you. I had a similar experience. I had symptoms of a central line infection and was told to go to the ER but my home health nurse. I tried calling out (only 5 hrs before so not great but not bad) AND tried finding coverage. She made me work and threatened to separate me. Once I got to work, my shifts found out and made me leave to go to the ER. I went septic that night. Those same shifts urged me to call my DM and Partner Resources. After being septic my body said fuck you and started rapidly declining so I ended up taking a leave. I WISH I had had the balls to report my SM. I urge you to call your DM and PRC. I wasn’t even contagious, nothing was confirmed, no fever and I still should not have worked. (It was an internal infection in my port, symptoms were redness and slight swelling). Given the FACT THAT WE ARE IN A PANDEMIC!! You absolutely should NOT work with COVID symptoms. Especially if you felt the need to get tested. Idc if it’s negative. Your safety as well as all of your partners and customers is more important. And even if it wasn’t a pandemic, it’s a serious violation to be forced to work will ill.
TLDR: I’ve been there. I wished I had stayed mad and reported my SM. Please!!! Contact your DM and PRC. You definitely have a right to be mad
TLDR: I’ve been there. I wished I had stayed mad and reported my SM. Please!!! Contact your DM and PRC. You definitely have a right to be mad
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