Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
↑
193
↓
Concept: Shifts should be able to use sick hours in advance of their shift (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by jayessdubs
I'm a lowly barista, but it semi pisses me off to watch shifts be sick and not be able to call it in due to understaffing. Especially with mental health days - the amount of times I've heard shifts says "I would have called out today if I could" is innumerable, and I've had shifts just snap on me before because they weren't able to take a break. I feel like they should be able to get coverage in advance and use sick hours for that, because so many of them need a day off sometimes but also need the money. They can barely use their sick hours.
​
If I want to formally suggest this (not that it would make a difference, but still), do I contact the PCC? I've been looking around for general contact info but I can't find any on the partner hub.
​
If I want to formally suggest this (not that it would make a difference, but still), do I contact the PCC? I've been looking around for general contact info but I can't find any on the partner hub.
gjroberts93 75 points 2y ago
They’ll never go for it because they don’t know what this job actually is.
jayessdubs [OP] 45 points 2y ago
Honestly. I still want to try though, go all corporate speak and talk about doubling down on their commitment to mental health or some shit.
Idk , shifts have to deal w so much shit, and I'm lucky to have some really solid ones. Like Jesus fuck they should be able to get some coverage even if it has to be approved by the SM or some other roadblock.
Idk , shifts have to deal w so much shit, and I'm lucky to have some really solid ones. Like Jesus fuck they should be able to get some coverage even if it has to be approved by the SM or some other roadblock.
boxiestcrayon15 12 points 2y ago
Starbucks won't change their policy unless their public image is hurting. I was a shift for years and there are never enough shifts to get sick coverage. Most shifts want 40 hours too so a lot of the time, you're at hours and can't cover even if you could/wanted to
GoldTurds- 5 points 2y ago
Dont worry, theyll write you up for having a mental breakdown at work. Tell you to get over it, and back at it you go.
BeardiesRule112 43 points 2y ago
Hard to from their couches.
anythingforcelina 47 points 2y ago
For a lengthy period of time I was the only opening shift 5 days a week and it was really stressful knowing that it was near impossible to call out. Either you need to know you’re sick at a “reasonable” time the day before you open again, or you’re forced to go in even if you’re displaying any of the ~6 symptoms that should prevent you from working. I’ve since gotten a break from that situation, but it really took a toll on me.
snowflakenecklace 15 points 2y ago
i had that right after i became a shift - for two months straight i did 8 hour opens, five days a week. and it wasn't uncommon for me to stay later because i had to do the pull, or i wasn't able to get someone back to do dishes all morning. it's slightly better now, but i open more often than i don't. i recently asked for my hours to be cut because i was so tired. it's rough.
White_Petal534 6 points 2y ago
I was a closing shift. I knew the night before my next shift (roughly 24 hours before) that I was NOT making it in for my next shift. I called all the other shifts in my store. Nothing. Called my SM she told me to call other locations in the area. Called 5 different stores. They said they would call back if they had anyone willing to. No calls back. Called my SM back and she sighed so heavily that I could hear her eyes roll and she said “I guess I have to cover then”
The lack of empathy for my situation and not even acknowledging that I genuinely TRIED to find coverage made me start looking for new jobs while sick as a dog.
The lack of empathy for my situation and not even acknowledging that I genuinely TRIED to find coverage made me start looking for new jobs while sick as a dog.
marinebiostu 38 points 2y ago
As a shift I genuinely appreciate your concern. I have 130 hours of sick pay and I feel like I can never use them.
Sad-Passenger4532 15 points 2y ago
When I got covid my boss was still trying to get me to come in!! Just promote more ppl! I thought I was the only one
Simplyroro 9 points 2y ago
Same! Im at 128 sick hours
CS3883 5 points 2y ago
I know this technically isn't allowed but our boss lets us use sick time as vacation time and just doesn't ask you about it. I've had multiple SMs like that. Can you do that? I would never use sick time if I couldn't do that with mine
LiL-LA 5 points 2y ago
how do you check if you have sick pay?
TheOnesLeftBehind 5 points 2y ago
It’s on your pay stub
FAH97 1 points 2y ago
Wait.. y’all get sick hours/pay... I’m pretty sure I don’t 😅
throwaway1209340987 1 points 2y ago
If you’re a corporate partner, you definitely do accrue them! They changed this last year, I believe — it’s pretty new. It should show up on My Partner Info.
proletarithot 23 points 2y ago
Shifts can and should call off when they’re sick or otherwise unable to work. The responsibility of covering the shift falls upon the store manager, who might have to work open to close to cover the store.
Everyone has a responsibility to their store, but honestly it depends on pay grade. Baristas can call off and have their shift covered easily. Shifts can call off but it could fuck over the store. Managers will sometimes have to work 16 hours, but they are salaried, and they chose to be the head of the store.
I never call off, and I love my manager. But if I can’t work and I can’t find coverage, then I just hand it over to her because that’s what she’s paid to do.
Edit: try suggesting your idea in the partner pulse surveys, or sign up for the next partner perspectives date
Everyone has a responsibility to their store, but honestly it depends on pay grade. Baristas can call off and have their shift covered easily. Shifts can call off but it could fuck over the store. Managers will sometimes have to work 16 hours, but they are salaried, and they chose to be the head of the store.
I never call off, and I love my manager. But if I can’t work and I can’t find coverage, then I just hand it over to her because that’s what she’s paid to do.
Edit: try suggesting your idea in the partner pulse surveys, or sign up for the next partner perspectives date
Alefur 7 points 2y ago
Legit nobody covers any shifts at my store barista or otherwise. It's a pain, I got sick this week, thankfully not corona, but I had to be out for like 4 days because we don't want anyone else getting sick since we're stretched so thin as it is. People who are off will NOT come in since they need their time off. Meanwhile a handful of us, myself included, are starting to not even get any time off at all. 7 days a week. It's a sad time at our store, holidays only making it worse.
proletarithot 5 points 2y ago
Are you guys understaffed? Like skeleton crew, there’s literally no one to call in because everyone has worked or is working?
Call off enough and they’ll hire more people. I truly love Bux and this company has helped me so much, but I’m only a good partner when I take care of myself. Your other partners may be pissy, but you just straight up tell them “I couldn’t work. This wouldn’t be happening if our SM hired more people, but they won’t because it’s cheaper to make us work three times as hard.”
Edit: this only works if most partners call off when they need to, instead of working because of guilt. I’ve been telling my baristas for years, “Just call off. It might suck but we’ll figure it out. Take care of yourself.”
Call off enough and they’ll hire more people. I truly love Bux and this company has helped me so much, but I’m only a good partner when I take care of myself. Your other partners may be pissy, but you just straight up tell them “I couldn’t work. This wouldn’t be happening if our SM hired more people, but they won’t because it’s cheaper to make us work three times as hard.”
Edit: this only works if most partners call off when they need to, instead of working because of guilt. I’ve been telling my baristas for years, “Just call off. It might suck but we’ll figure it out. Take care of yourself.”
Alefur 4 points 2y ago
A bunch of our veteran baristas have left for various reasons lately so we have like, on night crew at least, maybe 6 people in total who know what they're doing myself included. We can each do every positions exceptionally well and alone if needed, but we're all drained and can only count on each other for shift coverage, but none of us want to work on our days off(if any), and it's understandable, but a pain. We're currently training like, two people for nights meanwhile days are stacked. They have the coverage for everything, our nightcrews just officially shafted for the time being until we get new people as well as get them trained.
CS3883 3 points 2y ago
I work 7 days a week between my two jobs (5 at Starbucks and 2 at my other) and they both require me to be there at 5am almost daily. I've told my SM before 'im sorry for never taking up shifts but I literally *cannot* load my schedule up anymore than it is' there is no way in hell I can possibly add more shifts to what I have. They know to never ask me to come in because I never can
jayessdubs [OP] 2 points 2y ago
It sounds like your store is a well working machine, I love that ! But what about when the SM is on vacation or sick leave and you're borrowing someone else's SM who is working two stores at once? What about when your SM is covering two or three stores at once? What if there just isn't the time or manpower? Both of these situations have happened in the past six months.
It may be the SM's job to cover, but from what I've seen at my stores, unless you're physically unable to come in, you're here. It sounds different where you are , but from what stores I've been to, the SM coming in is last case scenario. I've only seen them cover anyone's shift twice , and that was because once a shift quit while on their half, and another shift no call no showed.
And thank you for the contact advise!! I'll try both of those. Even if this is a long shot , I figure I might as well mention it just to say I did. :)
It may be the SM's job to cover, but from what I've seen at my stores, unless you're physically unable to come in, you're here. It sounds different where you are , but from what stores I've been to, the SM coming in is last case scenario. I've only seen them cover anyone's shift twice , and that was because once a shift quit while on their half, and another shift no call no showed.
And thank you for the contact advise!! I'll try both of those. Even if this is a long shot , I figure I might as well mention it just to say I did. :)
proletarithot 3 points 2y ago
I am blessed with a good store and even better partners. Some of that has to do with the culture we try to facilitate, like being nice to partners who call off or encouraging each other to help out.
Even if an SM is gone and another SM is watching the store, it’s still the SM’s responsibility to find coverage. At that point, it’s about the barista or the shift putting their foot down and not letting themselves be guilted into working. I’m not salaried, so if I kill myself trying to “help” out of guilt, then what happens when I’m too burnt out to work at all?
I know it sounds kind of mean or callous, but it really is the SM’s responsibility to help. If they don’t want to work 16 hours and no one can come in, then the store closes early. Please don’t let yourself be guilted into working, we already all work so hard.
Even if an SM is gone and another SM is watching the store, it’s still the SM’s responsibility to find coverage. At that point, it’s about the barista or the shift putting their foot down and not letting themselves be guilted into working. I’m not salaried, so if I kill myself trying to “help” out of guilt, then what happens when I’m too burnt out to work at all?
I know it sounds kind of mean or callous, but it really is the SM’s responsibility to help. If they don’t want to work 16 hours and no one can come in, then the store closes early. Please don’t let yourself be guilted into working, we already all work so hard.
jayessdubs [OP] 2 points 2y ago
I'm so glad to hear that :) and that's a solid opinion, and I agree... I just don't know what to do about the shifts above me , cause I can't just tell them to call out but I want them to feel like they have the option to.
I'm the go to coverage person for my store ( covered two shifts just this past week in a store of 14) because I know how shit it can get when the play drops even by one person. Tbh, I don't care about supporting the manager, I just want to support my co-workers.
I'm the go to coverage person for my store ( covered two shifts just this past week in a store of 14) because I know how shit it can get when the play drops even by one person. Tbh, I don't care about supporting the manager, I just want to support my co-workers.
snowflakenecklace 19 points 2y ago
i only called off a couple times as a barista, but i feel like i straight up feel like i can't call off as a shift.
cascadebabe 17 points 2y ago
Please read: All partners who want to use your sick pay, here's how.
1. Request a day off in the future and in the comments write "dr. appointment". I choose a day I normally wouldn't work to not lose any money.
2. write in the punch log 8 hours of sick pay on that day (you can do this in advance too)
3. repeat as many times as needed to use up those hours before they expire this December!!
4. Remember, this is absolutely allowed. Your SM might be like mine where I had to hold my ground and ask her to ask her boss, who had to ask her boss, who told them both that this is allowed. They cant ask you why you're requesting sick pay but I know for some of you they will ask. Just say "I am seeing a doctor"
1. Request a day off in the future and in the comments write "dr. appointment". I choose a day I normally wouldn't work to not lose any money.
2. write in the punch log 8 hours of sick pay on that day (you can do this in advance too)
3. repeat as many times as needed to use up those hours before they expire this December!!
4. Remember, this is absolutely allowed. Your SM might be like mine where I had to hold my ground and ask her to ask her boss, who had to ask her boss, who told them both that this is allowed. They cant ask you why you're requesting sick pay but I know for some of you they will ask. Just say "I am seeing a doctor"
eat-reddit-tv 3 points 2y ago
🏅
CS3883 2 points 2y ago
I think it's so ridiculous the hoops some of us have to go through to use our OWN sick hours. What do they want us to do...just let them expire instead? I see sick hours as I do vacation hours. I know they aren't the same but as someone who very rarely gets sick that's basically what they are to me and I'm a shift so calling off isn't an option anyways. Luckily my SM lets us use ours without any trouble or asking us...I used up what I had left last month while on vacation so my paycheck wouldn't suck so much
jayessdubs [OP] 1 points 2y ago
I reached out to my SM abt sick time once, and here is what she said: "the policy for hourly partners is that if you have a situation where you miss an already scheduled shift or change your schedule (find coverage for an already scheduled shift) due to sickness or medical appointment or to care for an ill family member then we could put in sick time."
So I think you have to change your schedule for the appointment
Also, sick hours are expiring??? That makes zero sense with COVID 😡
So I think you have to change your schedule for the appointment
Also, sick hours are expiring??? That makes zero sense with COVID 😡
cascadebabe 2 points 2y ago
My SM said a similar thing, but trust me homie this went soooooo far up the chain that I got an email from the president of human resources saying that I can put "dr" in the comments of a requested day off to use sick time. Just put your foot down! Or call out when your SM is on the floor.
austamas_ 1 points 2y ago
I haven't heard anything about vacation hours expiring, what's going on with that? Is this some sort of American thing I'm too Canadian to understand? (That was a joke I'm sorry if I offended anyone)
aimsthename88 17 points 2y ago
As a shift who definitely needs a mental health break, I really appreciate your concern!
jayessdubs [OP] 2 points 2y ago
The quality shifts do be the unsung heroes out here. The bad ones suck, but y'all who actually care deserve all the love and support. 💕
StormTheParade 7 points 2y ago
It always made me super angry how little support anyone above Barista gets. Sure, everyone racks up sick hours, but from what I have seen between the four stores I was at, SSVs could only call out if another SSV was available to replace them - which meant you either had an SSV pulling a double, the SM attempting to cover for them (rarely went well if it happened at all) or that sick/unwell SSV coming in anyways.
I had an SSV come in with the literal flu. I have had SSVs come in drunk, vomiting, fevers, etc. I had an SSV who was told to "wait a day" for their *bereavement time off* because we were "short-handed." Like???? This is not okay!! You cannot *plan* to get the flu, you cannot plan a death, you shouldn't have to be guilted or pressured if you need a day off.
SMs are expected to cover in that situation, but even as a store manager they shouldn't have to work open to close!!
Starbucks is a fucking disaster and corporate grossly needs to reexamine their business model. There is no pride in being an employee to Starbucks anymore - you can enjoy your job all you want, have a great store and a cool manager, but at the end of the day, the fact that that is a *rarity* is embarrassing.
I had an SSV come in with the literal flu. I have had SSVs come in drunk, vomiting, fevers, etc. I had an SSV who was told to "wait a day" for their *bereavement time off* because we were "short-handed." Like???? This is not okay!! You cannot *plan* to get the flu, you cannot plan a death, you shouldn't have to be guilted or pressured if you need a day off.
SMs are expected to cover in that situation, but even as a store manager they shouldn't have to work open to close!!
Starbucks is a fucking disaster and corporate grossly needs to reexamine their business model. There is no pride in being an employee to Starbucks anymore - you can enjoy your job all you want, have a great store and a cool manager, but at the end of the day, the fact that that is a *rarity* is embarrassing.
jayessdubs [OP] 2 points 2y ago
Shifts that were forced to miss saying goodbye to a friend dying in the hospital, another one not allowed to go to the funeral, people going through really really rough patches in their life... I've seen what I posted work once, but that was because the shift was the SM's favorite. That hasn't been allowed for any other shift here, but that means stuff like it is possible even if it's the bare minimum of SSV support.
margot_tenembalm 7 points 2y ago
u n i o n i z e
NOTcreative- 6 points 2y ago
Shifts can use their sick hours when they’re sick, no doctors note needed. They shouldn’t be skipping their breaks either. Corporate policy is a 10 for any shift. A 10 and a lunch for six hour shifts, additional 10 for 7-8 hour shifts. If you are sick, call in and use your sick hours. It is the manager’s responsibility to find coverage and if we can’t, we go in, that is why we are salaried. If shifts feel obligated to go in when they are sick or skip their breaks, they should call PCC.
throwaway1209340987 2 points 2y ago
Unfortunately, this can create an extremely hostile work environment, and honestly isn’t feasible in many situations. There are shifts who try to call out and are told no. Is it ethical? No. Is it policy? No. But that’s the reality. I would venture to say that *most* shifts feel like they don’t have that option, and PCC can (will?) do precisely nothing about it.
NOTcreative- 2 points 2y ago
I’m sorry you feel so jaded. If you have a medical reason for calling out you cannot be told no, if you are that is a terminable offense. Call PRSC or ethics and compliance and there will be an investigation including interviews with every partner. They want their managers to uphold the mission and values and if they’re not, they don’t want them there.
AvoFromCado 5 points 2y ago
As a shift, I so so appreciate your concern. I feel like our healthy and wellbeing gets overlooked a lot!!
stirringthecoffeepot 4 points 2y ago
Appreciate u. Its nice in theory but for there to be coverage, we'd have to be overstaffed, which will then affect our hours. It'd be nice for Sbux to calm down on labor and create working environments that aren't constantly stressful, but they don't give a fuck about us, just their profits. And tons of partners have complained about the lack of labor we're given - at this point they're fully aware, they just really don't care
neeto 3 points 2y ago
They could barely find coverage for me when I requested vacations months in advance. My manager would always have to work doubles so I felt guilty. I’ve never called in sick in the 4 years since I got promoted, but now I’m at a new store and I’ve decided since COVID that the next time I get sick they can suck it lol
jayessdubs [OP] 2 points 2y ago
Even as a barista, I'm taking 6 days off and my manager is having to borrow 3 people from another store to cover. The labor just isn't there.
julieCivil 3 points 2y ago
Being a shift is effing awful. Seriously means a lot that you notice and care. xoxo!
emmaniamh 3 points 2y ago
I was never once "allowed" to call in even as a barista. I was always told I has no choice. Part of what made me resent this company. I had arthritis and bipolar disorder. I've suffered through more shifts than necessary especially on minimum wage. I'd still be there maybe if they gave me time when I needed it. I spilled way too many tears on that floor.
tanlayen 2 points 2y ago
Enough people called to complain about the pay and look what happened.... never hurts to call
External_Smoke_1140 2 points 2y ago
shift manager here. i have over 100 hours of sick time built up. i work in a very high volume dt store and we are now 24 hours. out of the 5 of us on the sfm team, 3 of then work overnights only. if i need to call out i have to ask the opener to stay until 4 pm and if he calls out i’m also working 4-4. it is fucking hell. i can’t remember the last half i took uninterrupted. i am
so miserable ther but i would feel so bad leaving my crew at a time like this
so miserable ther but i would feel so bad leaving my crew at a time like this
jayessdubs [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Dude I'm so sorry :( out of curiosity, what does SFM mean ? I can't even imagine 24 hours how the fuck are you not better staffed
onawitch 2 points 2y ago
Maybe your manager will let shifts use sick time for personal days? My manager does, and a barista who transferred from out of state said it was allowed in her old district as well. I have depression and when I notice myself losing energy or being chronically tired, I ask for a few days off for mental health. I have been told those days covered by sick time.
jayessdubs [OP] 1 points 2y ago
I'll ask about this ! Had to switch shifts in advance I assume? Were you allowed to use days you had off already for it , or just switched shifts ?
onawitch 1 points 2y ago
Normally I request off in advance on the app and use the sick time for that, but I have also used it if I find somebody to cover a shift or switch shifts! I hope you’re able to figure something out!
sevunfootur 2 points 2y ago
At my store, shifts are usually able to find coverage and have been allowed to use sick time to take off a day in advance for surgeries, appointments, the like.
This nonprofit website is run by volunteers.
Please contribute if you can. Thank you!
Our mission is to provide everyone with access to large-
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
©2023 HumbleCat Inc • HumbleCat is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Michigan, USA.