So my grandpa passed away a couple days ago. I had a shift today, so I called in to tell them that I needed to take off until the funeral on Tuesday (which is just today's shift and Tuesday's shift). They tell me I need to find my own coverage. Fine, whatever. I'd already asked about half my coworkers over the last few days because I knew it was inevitable, now I just have to message the rest of them. No one can cover for me. I call and let them know. They say I need to call and ask the other store in town. Ugh, fine. I'll call and let them know. I do so, they end up saying they'll send me their contact list. So I end up texting all the partners at that store, too. Eventually I find one singular person who can cover my shift, miraculously. I call my store to tell them, they say it's dandy and thank me for letting them know. Fast forward half an hour. Our store is closing at 12:30 (half an hour before my shift was supposed to be) because they can't find a shift supervisor to work. I literally have a whole entire dead family member. You made me put in all that work to find coverage, just to close the store??? I'm exhausted. I'm on the verge of quitting for school anyway because they've been so uncooperative with my school schedule. $10/hour is nice, but I'm beginning to wonder if I'd prefer sanity over money.
kaitlyn162025 points2y ago
I'm sorry to hear about this, it sounds incredibly frustrating. I've been having similar problems at my store. I'm constantly being called in and covering other people's shifts, but the few times I've ever tried to get someone to cover mine, they say no. I'm sorry about your grandpa and I hope for your sanity that you quit soon
sandycat5553 points2y ago
This was why I left after a year. I was scheduled 20h/week and frequently in danger of overtime because coworkers with increasingly desperate need for coverage kept calling me.And yet the 3 times in a year that I tried to get coverage, 2 of them no one would cover for me. I had 2 other jobs and it was literally costing me money to cover other people's shifts, and I felt so bad for them I couldn't say no. So I quit.
espresso_messo [OP]2 points2y ago
I always do my best to cover other people's shifts, especially over breaks or light semesters. When I was out because of the ice storm, I gave the partners who covered for me thank you cards. I'm always going to try to be the kindest I can be, but this stuff is just getting exhausting. The free coffee is darn nice as a college student though😅
NOTcreative-4 points2y ago
IIRC (which I think I do but I can double check) you’re only required to reach out to two people for coverage. As a manager if you have a death in the family I would be happy to message the other managers on my district to see if they can help find coverage. Don’t put yourself out covering for others, do it because you want to work.
espresso_messo [OP]2 points2y ago
omg. I was never told this. I'll definitely keep that in mind. Thank you so much.💕
NOTcreative-5 points2y ago
“In the event of an unplanned absence, e.g., the sudden onset of illness, injury or emergency, or when the partner is using paid sick leave allowable by law, the partner will not be held responsible for finding a substitute. “
From partner guide page 27. I’d classify your circumstance as an emergency.
5338909111 points2y ago
Make sure you ask for bereavement pay. Sorry for your loss.
Baristajf7 points2y ago
Starbucks in target minimum pay is 15 and you generally work about 20 hours a week
sandycat5553 points2y ago
I worked for corporate for the benefits. I was about $9/hour and I calculated my effective pay was $20/hour when I prorated what I was saving on my family's health insurance per 20 hours/week.
1snails3 points2y ago
I’m so sorry to hear about what you’re going through. Also, you should know that you are not responsible for finding your own coverage, it is always your manager’s responsibility.
mstoday3 points2y ago
that’s horrible. i had the same thing happen, and i had to leave for a week since it was out of state, and my store manager found the coverage for me and gave me grievance, so i still got paid for those shifts. granted, i was just a barista but still. you’re mourning rn, that shouldn’t be on you.
espresso_messo [OP]3 points2y ago
my funeral is also out of state. I'm just a barista, too, I've just worked at a few coffee shops before so I got higher than their starting wage when I got hired. I have no clue if I'm getting grievance or not. It's so aggravating because my manager constantly preaches about needing open communication for them to do their best for their partners, then doesn't even do the basics themself. aghhhhhh
Imsounfrappy2 points2y ago
You get 3 days bereavement. But honestly FUCK STARBUCKS! It’s a shitty job that doesn’t care about their partners... not sure why we’re called partners because we’re not treated that way.
espresso_messo [OP]1 points2y ago
Starbucks has definitely been the best job I've worked at so far.....but that's reaaaaally not saying a lot. I'm getting real sick and tired of these fast food jobs. Don't know of anything that pays as well, though.
vegan-trash2 points2y ago
I’ve had managers that would force you to find coverage because they don’t respect the partners and managers that won’t think twice to tell the partner to not worry about it when it’s an emergency like that. Your manager sounds like an ass
cheven201 points2y ago
Damn I’m really sorry that happened. I’m having a issue being sent to others stores to cover their shifts when I’ve never been there at all and opening of all things.
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