Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
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I was separated from the company today. (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by ThrowawayBarista2
I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do now. I feel humiliated and honestly, betrayed. I’ll try to talk about it all without revealing too much information about myself or my store.
On red cup day, I ate an edible. I was in a bad place and it was offered to me so I took it. It really made that shift a lot better, lemme tell you. I know it was wrong and I did it anyway. When I say, bad place, I mean I was doing a lot of stuff that I wouldn’t ever do because I didn’t want to live that long. A few weeks later I was hospitalized for my depression and anxiety. I’ve been slowly getting better, and I’m proud of myself for that.
About a month ago the DM came to our store because she’d been anonymously emailed that partners were using drugs on the floor or something. She didn’t talk about the email specifics, just sat down with everyone at the store individually to ask if any of us had seen that happen or had done that.
I didn’t mention red cup day to her ‘cause I’d forgotten. I remembered it later, of course, of course.
Yesterday, she came in to follow up with a select few of us. She sat me down and said that I’d been pinpointed as someone who’d been high at work. I mentioned red cup day. I didn’t mention my depression/hospitalization/any of that jazz. I thought it was okay to be honest. Besides, it was how many months ago? I could pass a pee test now if I had to.
After peak today, she came into our store again. And just like that, I’m separated from Starbucks.
I’m in such a fog right now. It doesn’t feel real. I was a 228 partner. Was.
It feels okay to vent. Thank you for reading. If you want to leave any advice, please do.
On red cup day, I ate an edible. I was in a bad place and it was offered to me so I took it. It really made that shift a lot better, lemme tell you. I know it was wrong and I did it anyway. When I say, bad place, I mean I was doing a lot of stuff that I wouldn’t ever do because I didn’t want to live that long. A few weeks later I was hospitalized for my depression and anxiety. I’ve been slowly getting better, and I’m proud of myself for that.
About a month ago the DM came to our store because she’d been anonymously emailed that partners were using drugs on the floor or something. She didn’t talk about the email specifics, just sat down with everyone at the store individually to ask if any of us had seen that happen or had done that.
I didn’t mention red cup day to her ‘cause I’d forgotten. I remembered it later, of course, of course.
Yesterday, she came in to follow up with a select few of us. She sat me down and said that I’d been pinpointed as someone who’d been high at work. I mentioned red cup day. I didn’t mention my depression/hospitalization/any of that jazz. I thought it was okay to be honest. Besides, it was how many months ago? I could pass a pee test now if I had to.
After peak today, she came into our store again. And just like that, I’m separated from Starbucks.
I’m in such a fog right now. It doesn’t feel real. I was a 228 partner. Was.
It feels okay to vent. Thank you for reading. If you want to leave any advice, please do.
Tall_Draw_521 34 points 2y ago
Hopefully you have continued to address the mental health issues you are facing. I know that alone isn't easy but I am glad and proud that you got help when you needed it most.
You now have a very powerful story that you can use to help other people, and tell them about the dangers of self-medicating, especially at work, and ignoring our needs. In the end, there are consequences for our actions, some of them come much farther down the road than we would like.
In case this gets lost in the pain which comes from being separated, remember two things: always talk to your colleagues 50% less than you want to. I doubt someone saw you do it. Did you mention it to someone? Now you know not to do that again. People talk. Always.
Second, it is okay to be honest at work and with your boss. In fact, I recommend it. But like I said, we have to pay consequences in life. Honesty is still the better policy. What you were not honest about is a serious medical condition that could have protected you had you sorted through it and the HR policies around it. You needed an advocate and usually you can find one but you have to know where to look.
Take some time to process this.
When you're ready to get back out there, remember that you are not obligated to disclose this incident when you apply at other places and employers cannot ask you about general/noncriminal(not associated with a crime) drug use, legal or otherwise.
You now have a very powerful story that you can use to help other people, and tell them about the dangers of self-medicating, especially at work, and ignoring our needs. In the end, there are consequences for our actions, some of them come much farther down the road than we would like.
In case this gets lost in the pain which comes from being separated, remember two things: always talk to your colleagues 50% less than you want to. I doubt someone saw you do it. Did you mention it to someone? Now you know not to do that again. People talk. Always.
Second, it is okay to be honest at work and with your boss. In fact, I recommend it. But like I said, we have to pay consequences in life. Honesty is still the better policy. What you were not honest about is a serious medical condition that could have protected you had you sorted through it and the HR policies around it. You needed an advocate and usually you can find one but you have to know where to look.
Take some time to process this.
When you're ready to get back out there, remember that you are not obligated to disclose this incident when you apply at other places and employers cannot ask you about general/noncriminal(not associated with a crime) drug use, legal or otherwise.
ThrowawayBarista2 [OP] 9 points 2y ago
Thank you for this. I really really mean it. I’ve read this so many times over and over and I appreciate you for it so much.
Tall_Draw_521 2 points 2y ago
Of course. Once a partner always a partner.
colonade17 10 points 2y ago
The lesson here is if you want to keep your job then don't admit to anything wrong to your boss. Instead use a stock phrase like "I don't recall" or "I'll look into it and get back to you"
In the long wrong this may be a blessing in disguise. This will force you to leave the comfort zone of working at starbucks and find something bigger and more meaningful to do with your life.
In the long wrong this may be a blessing in disguise. This will force you to leave the comfort zone of working at starbucks and find something bigger and more meaningful to do with your life.
Js_On_My_Yeet 5 points 2y ago
You should honestly be happy you left. Using weed for medical purposes won't stop the company from firing you, because Starbucks is legit a shitty company. They don't care about partners. I was lucky to not get caught cuz I was cool with almost everyone there and a lot of us smoked too. Whoever pointed out that you did it is a shitty person too. I'm not coming back solely cuz this company sucks as a whole. Don't worry about it. Starbucks is not as great as you think. 187 giving you advice. Don't be too hard on yourself about it.
drinkliquidclocks 4 points 2y ago
A disgusting response from the company, truly. Can't imagine a shift without smoking first lmao you did nothing wrong. I guess never admit that kind of thing in the future.
rio8envy7 1 points 2y ago
Smoking a cigarette isn’t the same as smoking a joint. You’re not allowed to have drugs, paraphernalia on company property. What you do off the clock is your business but knowing and willingly doing drugs on company time in the establishment especially is call for termination. In the eyes of the DM it also looked like op lied. While they forgot initially it doesn’t matter it’s still seen as lying. Op also wasn’t using weed for medical purposes it sounds like it was recreational. Plus had op mentioned their mental health issues to their SM before any of this they probably wouldn’t have lost their job or there could have been some accommodation made that’s company approved.
drinkliquidclocks 1 points 2y ago
No one should ever be penalized in a serious way for using THC. That's morally bankrupt. Why the fuck does using THC matter at a fast food job. I know the logistics here but it's absolutely wrong in my opinion. Yes I smoke THC everyday before and after work 🤷
rio8envy7 2 points 2y ago
Because marijuana isn’t legal recreationally. Because the company has a policy about no drugs at work.
drinkliquidclocks 6 points 2y ago
I never once brought up the law, I'm talk about morals.
Edit, to add that youre a total bootlicker haha what do those corporate heels taste like?
Edit, to add that youre a total bootlicker haha what do those corporate heels taste like?
prhamm 4 points 2y ago
Hi. I was separated from the company about three years ago. It broke my heart. I'm more than willing to talk or listen to you vent or offer advice. PM me if you need anything. I'm here for you.
sararhiannon__ 2 points 2y ago
For a company that cares so much about mental health....they have a funny way of showing it. I’m so sorry, but I don’t think they can do that without a history of write ups and insubordination... I’d check with your labour board and maybe ethics bd compliance?
Edit: one of my baristas told me LAST NIGHT that his former SM (different location) would hit her weed vape all the time while at work. Those are the kinds of people who deserve to get canned. Not you.
Edit: one of my baristas told me LAST NIGHT that his former SM (different location) would hit her weed vape all the time while at work. Those are the kinds of people who deserve to get canned. Not you.
ThrowawayBarista2 [OP] 2 points 2y ago
I literally don’t drugs unless offered. I’ve never owned weed. Someone gave me the edibles, someone I work(ed) with, and I’m the one who was sent packing. Not that I’d rat anyone out because that’s cruel. Also, Starbucks is based in SEATTLE. It’s p much synonymous with marijuana. I should’ve just lied to my DM.
Also, the DM called me about three hours after firing me to ask how I was and also if I knew of anyone else who’d done drugs at the store. I feel used. What a dirty game she’s playing.
Also, the DM called me about three hours after firing me to ask how I was and also if I knew of anyone else who’d done drugs at the store. I feel used. What a dirty game she’s playing.
noob_trees 2 points 2y ago
Pardon my French, but that is a bitch ass move. Sounds like she went with the laziest solution she could muster, so she couldn't get in trouble for doing nothing. I would seriously recommend finding a job in a target sbux. 15 dollars an hour to be a barista, might be worth it to you.
cringeqween13 1 points 2y ago
If you used work as a way to escape I recommend seeing if there are any places you can volunteer. Helping others can sometimes help you just as much if not more. Volunteering is also great for building your resume.
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