Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
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Rant about the Starbucks brainwashing (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by M333oww
I just want to rant, and I would like to clarify that it’s not just Starbucks, a shit ton of companies run like this under capitalism.
I have just been so drained lately, because I had another one of those Starbucks meetings where it’s hours of you all talking about everything you like about the company and how we should be crossing so many boundaries just to have that “one on one” connection with each customer. Everyone at my store, and pretty MUCH in my district is completely drained, and are being overworked, especially with how things have gotten so much harder since the pandemic. Of course, if I was making a living wage it would honestly be so much easier cause we also all wouldnt have to work as much as we do. The hard working part isn’t even what gets me, it’s the constant force of making sure you always have a huge smile on your face and are doing everything you can to make sure you don’t show a hint of sadness or frustration or any negative feeling. We aren’t getting paid enough for the amount of emotional labor Starbucks requires. Obviously a shit ton of jobs are like this but I just want to know how everyone else is feeling and if they have any tips for being someone who is not mentally stable trying to make it through being told to “be positive” every day.
Also don’t say anything about Starbucks still offering a lot of benefits, cause most of it is just for looks and does not benefit actually anyone.
I have just been so drained lately, because I had another one of those Starbucks meetings where it’s hours of you all talking about everything you like about the company and how we should be crossing so many boundaries just to have that “one on one” connection with each customer. Everyone at my store, and pretty MUCH in my district is completely drained, and are being overworked, especially with how things have gotten so much harder since the pandemic. Of course, if I was making a living wage it would honestly be so much easier cause we also all wouldnt have to work as much as we do. The hard working part isn’t even what gets me, it’s the constant force of making sure you always have a huge smile on your face and are doing everything you can to make sure you don’t show a hint of sadness or frustration or any negative feeling. We aren’t getting paid enough for the amount of emotional labor Starbucks requires. Obviously a shit ton of jobs are like this but I just want to know how everyone else is feeling and if they have any tips for being someone who is not mentally stable trying to make it through being told to “be positive” every day.
Also don’t say anything about Starbucks still offering a lot of benefits, cause most of it is just for looks and does not benefit actually anyone.
Tall_Draw_521 50 points 2y ago
“We aren’t getting paid enough for the emotional labor demanded of us”
This statement is so dead on. The hardest jobs I’ve ever had were service jobs. But Starbucks demands so much more in the way of “being nice”. The worst part is customers don’t care that much. We really don’t.
If you are not mentally there, get help. It’s totally okay to complain about Starbucks, but if you’re having trouble getting through the day, it’s time to talk to someone. Most of us will go through that at some point or another.
This statement is so dead on. The hardest jobs I’ve ever had were service jobs. But Starbucks demands so much more in the way of “being nice”. The worst part is customers don’t care that much. We really don’t.
If you are not mentally there, get help. It’s totally okay to complain about Starbucks, but if you’re having trouble getting through the day, it’s time to talk to someone. Most of us will go through that at some point or another.
M333oww [OP] 12 points 2y ago
I’m seeing that a lot of people are feeling this way and that just makes me so much more sad because there’s literally so much brainwashing that and manipulation to make sure that everyone thinks Starbucks is the greatest company and treats their employees like kings and queens.
badatlife15 17 points 2y ago
I completely agree with what you’re saying, but I know very few places that give health insurance for part-time workers, so I’m stuck here.
M333oww [OP] 14 points 2y ago
No literally same, and that’s what sucks. Every place especially right now sucks so bad, but Starbucks doing bare minimum and it still traps people. It just makes me so fucking sad
lelaluv 12 points 2y ago
i’m convinced that starbucks gives us these benefits with the intent to keep us ‘stuck’ here.
Tall_Draw_521 2 points 2y ago
Have you ever tried to buy your own on the health care exchanges?
badatlife15 7 points 2y ago
I haven’t partly because one time many years ago I did I could only find really crappy insurance and it was just to much mental work for me to figure out. I’m also trans and knowing that *if* I should decide to get any future surgeries related to my transition Starbucks insurance covers them played a huge role in not really trying to look else where for coverage. But it is something I may have to consider because I don’t know how much longer I can put up with working here.
Tall_Draw_521 5 points 2y ago
Sounds like it’s time to start shopping! Do you have resources in your area for trans people? That can be super helpful as far as insurance goes.
badatlife15 1 points 2y ago
Thanks! I definitely have access to getting that figured out, it’s more like I thought it would be good to have this for down the road. I’ve had the main surgery that I felt I needed for my transition the rest would require a lot of things to fall into place aside from just insurance.
M333oww [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Do you have anywhere I can help with money wise? Like a Venmo or something?
badatlife15 2 points 2y ago
Oh thank you I appreciate it but I’m good right now, surgery is a possibility down the road, but I had the surgery that was most important for me as a trans guy (top surgery) a couple years ago and I’m in no actual rush to have any others at this point. I had just figured having a job that had insurance to cover others might help. Thank you though!
Sisyphus66 11 points 2y ago
We really really need a union
M333oww [OP] 8 points 2y ago
We really fucking do
twinexistance 5 points 2y ago
Check out /r/UnionizeStarbucks there's some information there about unionizing. Workers have to fight for ourselves and for each other, these companies don't care about us.
M333oww [OP] 4 points 2y ago
Thank you so fucking much
roustaboutsrevenge 6 points 2y ago
Dude don't get me started on that "meditation" shit and them conveniently partnering w/ Headspace lol
M333oww [OP] 3 points 2y ago
RIGHT!!!!!! It literally is so crazy what they do for looks and then just completely do not care about their “partners”
mushroomappreciation 5 points 2y ago
THIS!!! Starbucks is literally just another corporation who will decrease you wages and cheapen products in order to make an extra dollar. Brand loyalty means nothing to ceos and in the long run you are paying $40 for a reusable plastic cup which is only priced higher because it has Starbucks’ logo slapped on the front
M333oww [OP] 3 points 2y ago
LITERALLY! With how rich Starbucks is, it’s so insane the amount of shit they don’t do in order to even make baristas and shifts lives easier. It literally blows my mind
Hoax_Pudding_Cup 3 points 2y ago
This is a god damn mood. All of it. The only reason I'm with the company is because their dental plan is decent, and my teeth, are not decent.
Ok-Bowl4392 3 points 2y ago
I felt this way at my old store and transferred to a whole new district. I feel much better and the upper management isn’t pushing tasks that aren’t in my job description on me.
M333oww [OP] 4 points 2y ago
Right!! Like, I work customer service jobs, I know how they treat employees, but requiring us to literally put on a show for each customer while also making sure they got their coffee writhing 38 seconds is insane and so not possible when you’re overworking everyone and draining them
Ok-Bowl4392 2 points 2y ago
Completely agree! I suggest looking into transferring if possible as it may just be the store or your district. You could also call partner resources and inform them of how you feel and tell the other baristas they can call if they want
M333oww [OP] 1 points 2y ago
This is a very good idea thank you so much
Ok-Bowl4392 1 points 2y ago
If you need the partner resources number let me know by commenting again
Fast-Tower151 1 points 2y ago
But if you complain about threats and abuse here, you ger down voted.
Beardzesty 0 points 2y ago
How do you see the benefits as useless? You've gotta be kidding there
M333oww [OP] 2 points 2y ago
Most of the “benefits” offer barely any coverage. The benefits of mental health resources are bullshit. The only decent one is the free schooling, and healthcare( but the healthcare is still shitty)
Beardzesty 1 points 2y ago
Dental, health and eye care, three different mental health resources to connect you to therapists, councilors, and general help groups. We can go to school.... idk how that isn't enough said. The amount you pay for any benefit is how much you get out of it, whether you work for sbux or not. I pay for the cheapest coverage and I get contacts for a year, no copay for a checkup. Idk what else to say
M333oww [OP] 3 points 2y ago
The point is, is the workload for the amount of benefits we are getting does not add up. Starbucks requires a shit ton out of its employees, and then uses the bare minimum benefits to trap them and make them feel like they have to sacrifice so much for the lowest of the benefits. That doesn’t mean that the benefits don’t HELP people, it means the benefits should be way more. And don’t mention the mental health resources because for all different options I was not able to find anything available, and online mental health help helps very few people.
Beardzesty 1 points 2y ago
Well I'm sorry your having such a rough experience. I however was able to book a therapist in my area and had my first meeting to meet already via zoom through those resources. Most people are in your shoes, so ill take your word for it. My store does not get mind numbing amounts of customers, the work load is easily manageable, the work environment is uplifting but relaxes and our store manager is really good at communication so we all are happy. I do live in a major city but I do not work near city center. I will say that being able to go to school off working only part time is a great benefit, even though it doesn't apply to me and im sure for baristas in your shoes thats not important or valid.
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