Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
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Half way into my third week as a shift and cried my way home after closing (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by inappropriatemove
I’ve had one week of barista “training”, one week of shift supervisor “training” and I’ve closed the past three nights as the only shift. Training in my store is extreme lacking due to it being a extremely high volume location and very understaffed currently. I’m a very quick learner and like to think I pick up on things with ease but tonight I broke down.
The first several hours is playing catch up because the morning crew left us with bare bones as far as supplies and back ups, I get breaks done with the limited staff we have and try and handle all the counts and things I have to do as a shift and there’s not enough time to do it all it feels impossible. I’ve also works the past closing shifts with two new partners as part of my very low coverage team and one of which is not doing well and is not listening to me, to a point in which I have to hold his hand constantly and it’s impossible for me to focus on teaching myself how to do things for the first time and doing things I’ve had less then a week practicing while handling a bad partner. I feel incredibly defeated and drained but also I need this job.
/end rant
The first several hours is playing catch up because the morning crew left us with bare bones as far as supplies and back ups, I get breaks done with the limited staff we have and try and handle all the counts and things I have to do as a shift and there’s not enough time to do it all it feels impossible. I’ve also works the past closing shifts with two new partners as part of my very low coverage team and one of which is not doing well and is not listening to me, to a point in which I have to hold his hand constantly and it’s impossible for me to focus on teaching myself how to do things for the first time and doing things I’ve had less then a week practicing while handling a bad partner. I feel incredibly defeated and drained but also I need this job.
/end rant
Br0kenbean 9 points 2y ago
Were you hired as an outside shift? In that case, I’m so so sorry that’s about as tough as it gets. We tried hiring outside shifts on three separate occasions at my store and it was chaos because they were basically trying to learn two jobs at once (at that point it’s not worth the pay at all). None of them stuck.
In any case, it’s the closers that are usually expected to prepare most of the backups because the morning crew handles peak and the highest volume of customers.
Have you tried talking to the morning crew? If you’re that understaffed it might be hard for them to properly prepare you in the first place. Though they should be trying to leave you at least a decent handoff considering they know you’re new and understaffed too.
I’d try looking for another job. Clearly that store is struggling and they’re ready to pull you down with them.
Best of luck!
In any case, it’s the closers that are usually expected to prepare most of the backups because the morning crew handles peak and the highest volume of customers.
Have you tried talking to the morning crew? If you’re that understaffed it might be hard for them to properly prepare you in the first place. Though they should be trying to leave you at least a decent handoff considering they know you’re new and understaffed too.
I’d try looking for another job. Clearly that store is struggling and they’re ready to pull you down with them.
Best of luck!
inappropriatemove [OP] 5 points 2y ago
Thanks! I was a outside shift, I talked to the opening shift when I came in and as we had one or zero of basics like whipped cream, lemonade, sweet cream, caramel, etc. and no ice, lids, pastry bags and such and I was told they had light coverage so they didn’t have someone on CS, I know their peak is higher BUT they had three more baristas then closing and all are fully trained, and it was just a bummer for me.
inappropriatemove [OP] 4 points 2y ago
Thanks I plan on having a talk with my SM, I’m a little frustrated with my SM right now because they’ve told me a lot of things like oh I’ll be here with you until 7-8 so I can show you how to do inventory or such and around 4-5 they end up leaving because they “are already working so many hours this week and arm sure I’ll me fine” and I was told I was only going to be closing alone once this week because it was absolutely necessary and that I’d have more training but this was day three in a row. I’ve ALSO been told I was only on this schedule “block” to help cover this week but the following two weeks that are posted are all the same. I cry
alchemymk 2 points 2y ago
i had a super similar experience, but it gets easier! i try to remember that if morning/mid doesn’t help set up a good close, it is on them too. Just get done what you can and at the end of the day, it’s. just. coffee. ❤️ good luck!
CandidCody 2 points 2y ago
I totally feel that! I’ve been a shift for about 2 weeks and only had 2 training shifts before I was thrown to the wolves, closing with 2 relatively new baristas that have great attitudes but need constant support. I am a SOLID barista and I have really high standards for myself, and I’ve been having a really hard time accepting the fact that I’m not very good at this yet. What has helped me maintain my composure is asking myself if I’m really doing my best and as long as the answer is yes, I’ve done a good job. As long as I’ve done the best I can, the quality of my work will steadily improve.
bitter-barista 2 points 2y ago
Starbucks is not worth crying over.
Dont cry because of Starbucks.
I remind myself of this too: They'll replace you in a instant if you left, it's a big corporation. Not. Worth. Your. Tears. Or. Mental. Health.
I am sorry you're having a hard time tho buddy. I'm going into my 5th year as a shift and it has not gotten any easier since covid started. I've been toying with quitting some days, I cant take it. Good luck Starbuddy
Dont cry because of Starbucks.
I remind myself of this too: They'll replace you in a instant if you left, it's a big corporation. Not. Worth. Your. Tears. Or. Mental. Health.
I am sorry you're having a hard time tho buddy. I'm going into my 5th year as a shift and it has not gotten any easier since covid started. I've been toying with quitting some days, I cant take it. Good luck Starbuddy
aiwaifu 2 points 2y ago
Hey, I was in the same exact boat as a rehire. I had little to no shift training after only ever having been a barista, I know it’s hard and awkward but I would 100% bring up these issues to your SM or file an ethics report to go straight to your DM since it sounds like you aren’t able to properly give breaks with a bare bones crew. This all sucks and I’m so sorry you have to deal with it, this is exactly why I ended up quitting but remember that you deserve to be treated like a human and so do your fellow baristas who are probably also ridiculously stressed. I had zero qualms over calling my SM and closing everything except DT with a skeleton crew. I had to look out for myself and the baristas who don’t feel like they can complain. I wish you the best of luck and give you all of the love in the world.
aiwaifu 2 points 2y ago
To add to this, I would also call my DM. Remember that understaffed stores NEED you more than you realize and you deserve to be in a less stressful environment if you’re going to be working like this.
RistrettoIsBae 1 points 2y ago
I broke down today too when I got home. I’m the one who needs my hand held. I’m sorry. We are hurting and crying after our shifts, too. Can we all hold hands?
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