Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
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Reasonable accommodations help! (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by dazedandconfusedhere
Hello everyone! I’m a pregnant partner (29 weeks!) and things at Starbucks are slowly starting to get more difficult. Overall it’s not too bad right now - the worst part is my feet aching and getting swollen after each shift - but I know things are just going to get more difficult over the next two months.
I’m sure I’ll probably be needing some sort of accommodations sooner than later to help me do the job (I plan to work until as close to my due date as possible) but I’m struggling to think of things that would make the job easier for me, without making it harder for my partners.
Context for my store: My coworkers and managers are super super nice and supportive, and have already told me to just tell them if I need anything. My SSV’s have said to let them know if there’s anything I can’t do and not feel bad.
The main things that are getting difficult are standing a whole shift (I can suck it up and deal with it, but it’s definitely not fun lol) and reaching out the drive thru window (I’m short & sometimes struggle to get my belly up over the ledge when people are far from the window). There’s some other stuff because, ya know, pregnancy, but these are the biggest things (plus all the bending and lifting).
Does anyone have any advice on what would be considered “reasonable accommodations” to help me out if I need it? Would those softer anti fatigue mats be a thing? A step stool for DTR? What have you requested that helped, or what have you seen coworkers request? What would you suggest to a pregnant coworker that would make their job easier without making yours harder?
I’m sure I’ll probably be needing some sort of accommodations sooner than later to help me do the job (I plan to work until as close to my due date as possible) but I’m struggling to think of things that would make the job easier for me, without making it harder for my partners.
Context for my store: My coworkers and managers are super super nice and supportive, and have already told me to just tell them if I need anything. My SSV’s have said to let them know if there’s anything I can’t do and not feel bad.
The main things that are getting difficult are standing a whole shift (I can suck it up and deal with it, but it’s definitely not fun lol) and reaching out the drive thru window (I’m short & sometimes struggle to get my belly up over the ledge when people are far from the window). There’s some other stuff because, ya know, pregnancy, but these are the biggest things (plus all the bending and lifting).
Does anyone have any advice on what would be considered “reasonable accommodations” to help me out if I need it? Would those softer anti fatigue mats be a thing? A step stool for DTR? What have you requested that helped, or what have you seen coworkers request? What would you suggest to a pregnant coworker that would make their job easier without making yours harder?
MungotheSquirrel 6 points 2y ago
If you were on my shift, your position would be your call at all times that I could possibly accommodate your request. It hasn't been for pregnancy, but we've had partners sit on stools as DTO if they needed to be off their feet. It's kind of a pain in the ass, but if we've liked and appreciated that person, no biggie. Also, definitely bring an extra cushion mat and then use it in a planted position as much as possible. Maybe you'll eventually want split shifts? 4 hours on, 2 hours off, 3 hours on? It's not customary, but if your manager is as good as you say, I feel like it ought to be an option if it would improve your life.
dazedandconfusedhere [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Split shifts would be cool but probably not feasible at my store - we’re still in blocks for covid, so the only available hours are 4:30-12(1 on weekends) and to split that would be right in peak too
ReasonableAd5324 5 points 2y ago
When I was pregnant at Starbucks, they got me a stool and kept me on DTR most of the time so I could sit on my stool. I had the same issues with back pain and ended up stopping working at 32 weeks. Make sure to advocate for yourself and do what’s best for you!
juicylaa 5 points 2y ago
Although I’m not pregnant, maybe having something that you’re able to reach out of the window without having to struggle could help or even a stool that has back support and you could sit on it at the window.
dazedandconfusedhere [OP] 3 points 2y ago
Oh! A tray to use for reaching out the window would probably be super helpful (and safer than a step stool probably 😂)
jackie920 3 points 2y ago
This isn’t pregnancy specific but cheap compression socks (literally just go to walmart) will help a ton with foot pain and swelling
dazedandconfusedhere [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Just ordered some on Amazon, don’t know why I didn’t think of this sooner
jackie920 2 points 2y ago
I’ve worn compression socks every single shift since I was hired and it makes a world of difference for my feet
Klthomp0127 2 points 2y ago
Hey! I’m gonna lay it out; Starbucks doesn’t accommodate. At 32 weeks I was dilating and effacing. My dr wrote an accommodations note for me to which I was basically told I can choose to work through my pain (and risk worse per my dr as I was starting to swell and risk of preterm labor) or go on an unpaid leave. That didn’t sit right with me SO, I contacted Sedgwick and started a claim for short term disability. PCC told me in an email that they can’t accommodate extra breaks (it affects the customer experience) , time to sit (customer experience is affected) or sitting while in the floor on a chair or using anything to prop your legs (on window or DTO) as it’s a “trip hazard”. So my claim was approved. If you can work through standing your whole shift I’d suggest DTO as it’s the least amount of movement. As far as I’m concerned Starbucks doesn’t consider any accommodation reasonable.
dazedandconfusedhere [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Thanks for sharing your experience!
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