Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
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Non bar baristas (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by Adorable_Track_827
not to be rude but i genuinely do not understand why they are still hired. my store has a good bit of dt only employees. i’ve been a partner now for 5 months and i am almost always on bar for the simple fact that the other people in my day part are not allowed to be on bar. they have been there double the time than me and i’ve seen them on bar less than a hand full of times and when they are it’s always a mess. our dt times get horrible, the drinks often need to be remade and whenever i try to step on bar from dt to help they insist they are fine and don’t need the help.
i get some people are just not good on bar but i feel like at this point you just shouldn’t be a barista. at any other job, if you can’t do the job, you get fired. i don’t understand why that is not the case here. and don’t get me wrong they are great people and i love them but when it comes to the job they just cannot preform and i feel like they just shouldn’t have the job.
edit: for my specific situation it is not the shift or the trainers fault. it is the baristas that’s the problem. the people who trained them is the same 2 people who trained everyone else at the store. the shifts are the same shifts that let me on bar when i was brand new. as one of the comments said for my store personally it is the work ethic of these baristas who do not make any effort to get better and think they know it all. i assure you these people were properly trained and given more than enough chances to get better but have not. and it is not a strengths and weaknesses thing because they are not grasping the concept of any position they are put in. after a year of working here and not having a decent understanding of ANY position, it is time to be let go.
i get some people are just not good on bar but i feel like at this point you just shouldn’t be a barista. at any other job, if you can’t do the job, you get fired. i don’t understand why that is not the case here. and don’t get me wrong they are great people and i love them but when it comes to the job they just cannot preform and i feel like they just shouldn’t have the job.
edit: for my specific situation it is not the shift or the trainers fault. it is the baristas that’s the problem. the people who trained them is the same 2 people who trained everyone else at the store. the shifts are the same shifts that let me on bar when i was brand new. as one of the comments said for my store personally it is the work ethic of these baristas who do not make any effort to get better and think they know it all. i assure you these people were properly trained and given more than enough chances to get better but have not. and it is not a strengths and weaknesses thing because they are not grasping the concept of any position they are put in. after a year of working here and not having a decent understanding of ANY position, it is time to be let go.
Brilliant_Story609 58 points 2y ago
Ok, so I am the oven queen. When I’m not on oven dt times suck and the window is always waiting on food. I am on solo drive-thru from open until the 4th person comes on then I flex to oven/front and only oven at peak. When I started with the siren we had La Morizacco bars—the manual bar with the couplings and tampers. Then the Verissimo, the first auto bar, then the Mastreana and now Mastreana II. Through the 20 years I’ve been here I was slowly fazed away from the bar as my skill set was better suited in other areas. I can still make every drink and they will be made right but I am just not as fast as my some of my other partners so that’s not the best place for me during peak. My point is that each partner in our play is put where they are strongest which is where you want them during your peak times. Green beans have it hard because they are never given bar time if they work during peaks which then has a trickle down effect in that they get really good at DTO, window or front so then they get stuck there.
christyhof 27 points 2y ago
👏👏👏👏 WOW, super well-said!! Thank you. Aces in their places during peak. I, too...am food queen. I’m a shift, I can make every drink, but it’s not where I shine...so I put myself elsewhere and the strongest bar folks on bar. TEAM!!
Balamamama 5 points 2y ago
I love this! And I always love to meet a fellow oven queen.
badatlife15 37 points 2y ago
I mean jumping in isn’t going to help them get the practice. I would get put on bar briefly when I first started (about a year ago and things were much slower due to being in the thick of the pandemic), then for quite some time I was rarely on bar for more than just helping make drinks right at open. Now being here for a year I’m on bar more because we’ve had so many people leave. While I feel like I’m at least making drinks right, my speed is nowhere near where I think it should be, but if some partner kept jumping in and taking over I would have a hard time feeling like I was ever going to get better and that would only make me slower and mess up more.
Adorable_Track_827 [OP] 1 points 2y ago
yea i absolutely get needing to go slow but when i say they were dt only i mean they are never on bar like at all. they’ve been with the company for almost a year and in the last 5 months that i’ve been there have spent 5 hours on bar. and when i say i would help out i mean if they are making a couple frappuccino’s or shakens i would just step over and set up their hot bar drinks, like just finishing off a white mocha or steaming their milk and stepping away. they only time they really accepted any help was if it was the shift doing it
badatlife15 21 points 2y ago
Ok, but regardless it still sounds like your shifts are doing a shitty job of getting them time on bar.
PeachGreenTea__ 15 points 2y ago
I get trying to help, but someone was helping me today by making and starting drinks I was already making. You might have a slight miscommunication issue.
I would also like to point out, they probably know you are irritated at them for being slow. You keep saying the job is making drinks and that obviously seems to be the most important role to you. I’d like to point out every position is equally important.
I would also like to point out, they probably know you are irritated at them for being slow. You keep saying the job is making drinks and that obviously seems to be the most important role to you. I’d like to point out every position is equally important.
dazedandconfusedhere 24 points 2y ago
This isn’t on your baristas. This is on your shifts and management for not giving the baristas the proper support. If they’re not doing well on bar, your manager should be scheduling them for extra training, and your shifts should be putting them on bar for slow periods and giving them extra support. Everyone learns at a different pace, and if they’re not given opportunities to learn then they won’t have a chance (and I don’t mean just getting thrown on bar for peak!)
Yes it’d be great if they showed initiative and asked for more practice/training, but also - maybe they did ask and weren’t given it.
Plus, someone has to be on drive thru, front, warming, and CS - why not them 🤷♀️
Yes it’d be great if they showed initiative and asked for more practice/training, but also - maybe they did ask and weren’t given it.
Plus, someone has to be on drive thru, front, warming, and CS - why not them 🤷♀️
fireantoohwee 22 points 2y ago
I spent an entire year on DT and café POS because I worked mornings and they didn’t want to mess their times. A handful of times they thew me on bar and I drowned because I couldn’t remember the cadence… and surprise, I was put back on DT. Blame the shifts, they call the shots.
Many-Medicine6836 13 points 2y ago
honestly we need more strong window people, which I feel is the case for a lot of stores in my area. having a good balance is nice, but in all honesty most people at my store /hate/ drive and I'm consistently struggling to plan out positions for the days play.
badatlife15 6 points 2y ago
I love being on window and will never complain even if I’m on window all shift. I have quite a few regulars who look forward to seeing me and comment when they haven’t seen me in awhile. I know who likes straws and who doesn’t need them. I greet a large number of them by name. That being said, I can’t always be on window especially as we have new partners come on and it’s better for them to be there. I definitely think having a strong partner on window can help keep drive times down and also circumvent issues. Someone being really kind may stop a customer from escalating when a drink isn’t quite what they wanted or ease the feel of unavoidable longer wait times. I’m getting better at bar, but still don’t feel like it’s my strongest suit and part of that is because I enjoy being on window so I get put there and don’t complain.
Edited- /getting better at bar, not drive thru/
Edited- /getting better at bar, not drive thru/
sidneyistrash 4 points 2y ago
i think the only one to stop the burnout is to allow partners be on all positions. this will make people feel included and they won't be like "i don't want to do drive because im ALWAYS on drive", if you let everyone have a chance, i feel like people will be happy to volunteer doing things they don't want to do but having someone on one position for their entire shift and basically everyday ofc it's gonna get harder and harder to plan out the play
maybae-xxx 9 points 2y ago
I suck on hot bar, but I shine on cold bar.
It’s called a team play for a reason. You work off other people’s strengths to provide the best times. But we also shouldn’t be controlled by the timer on the screen, to where we get on Reddit and say our fellow baristas should be fired due to times that are not good enough. 😌
It’s called a team play for a reason. You work off other people’s strengths to provide the best times. But we also shouldn’t be controlled by the timer on the screen, to where we get on Reddit and say our fellow baristas should be fired due to times that are not good enough. 😌
badatlife15 3 points 2y ago
Yes, it’s one thing if someone is legit not doing their job, but if they are struggling and not getting chances to improve that’s a completely different story. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, firing someone for not being on bar/being good at bar seems like a huge overreaction, especially when it seems at least at my store and from many people on here that a lot of our stores are understaffed to begin with.
honeykoala15 9 points 2y ago
I have the opposite problem. I have one barista who ONLY likes to do bar and whenever she is working she expects to be on bar the entire time. If I assign her any other position, she complains about it. Like I know you’re strong on bar, but sometimes I have to let other people get bar time in too!
TheGracieJay 9 points 2y ago
you have baristas who only do one position? I think thats unique to your store or district...
Adorable_Track_827 [OP] 7 points 2y ago
well they aren’t meant to do just one position it’s just they never get put outside that position.
LilacFlores 25 points 2y ago
Then how is that the individual baristas fault? Its whoever trained them who is at fault, not the actual baristas.
Adorable_Track_827 [OP] -12 points 2y ago
it’s not their fault at all but it’s their job. if they have questions or need help they should be asking for it or making an effort to get better but when someone has been in a position for almost a year and has yet to comprehend the basics, they should not be in that position.
basics being the correct pumps or scoops for each drink, the correct order to prepare drinks, knowing what goes in what drink.
basics being the correct pumps or scoops for each drink, the correct order to prepare drinks, knowing what goes in what drink.
badatlife15 16 points 2y ago
It’s a vicious circle though, if baristas aren’t being allowed time on bar because they are slow they don’t get a chance to practice more and if someone thinks they suck they’re not going to voluntarily say put me on bar! I want to see everyone get mad because I’m going too slow. It’s one thing if the baristas are refusing to ever do bar, but if they’re not being given the opportunity to be on bar then it comes from management your shifts and store manager.
Competitive-Exam2264 2 points 2y ago
This occurs at my store too!!! It’s so annoying because bar partners ( I am one) get burnt out quickly and it isn’t fair that we are the ones doing the most work if you think about it
Shakespeare-Bot -2 points 2y ago
thee has't baristas who is't only doth one position? i bethink thats unique to thy store 'r district
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InfiniteFriez 7 points 2y ago
This is the fault of the shift supervisor and SM not getting them the time and training they need.
I’m literally in this exact position and my SSs and SM aren’t getting me what I need to practice and train. I prefer DThru and Store Support because I suck at bar and never get good practice.
I’m literally in this exact position and my SSs and SM aren’t getting me what I need to practice and train. I prefer DThru and Store Support because I suck at bar and never get good practice.
[deleted] -1 points 2y ago
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baristasgtpepper 5 points 2y ago
I totally understand this. At my store I’m cold bar mama and we have some partners that don’t bar. It’s understandable for peak where u have the people who are strongest in certain positions. Afterwards though it’s up to the shift. At my store, we tend to have a few partners in the same places because we stay busy all the time. But just bc they aren’t good at bar doesn’t mean they’re not capable of doing the job. Starbucks is so much more than just drinks. We need strong drive thru folks, strong register people who ace customer connections, oven people, and of course iconic CS people. Just bc they don’t bar doesn’t mean they should lose their jobs bc they’re actually supporting you by doing a lot of behind the scenes work to make sure you’re able to bar fast asf
sstcyr 4 points 2y ago
This sounds like a training failure to me. Of course everyone has their niche and prefers one thing or another, but every worker should be trained and able to perform in every position... And if they've been there nearly a year and can't do bar like... Where was the ball dropped
Tacenda20 4 points 2y ago
I totally agree with you! I understand to an extent it could be because of the shifts. At my store there are at least two people who are only on drive thru. The shifts have tried to rearrange them but their work ethic sucks, don't ask questions when they are unsure, and/or simply do not care and cannot perform the duties of the job correctly. We have had A LOT of new partners and they all are able to be on any position and hold their own for the most part so why is it that these partners are having issues with understanding and performing the job when they have worked here for six months+? When new partners have grasped the concepts of the job more than their senior partners I don't think that's the shifts fault, it's the individual partners fault at that point
TheFriendlyFeminist 4 points 2y ago
Hi yes I am you. I get so frustrated like you need to be able to work every position. I’ve literally developed tendinitis in my wrist from being on bad all day every day cause other partners can’t do it and they just get put on oven/dt. Shifts need to understand there are no positions just for drive through or warming and need to give those baristas opportunities to get better at bar during slow times, and also take the time to train and coach in the moment when they see these partners making drinks wrong
Throwawaysnore 4 points 2y ago
Honestly I get that some people get anxious and will fully support those that just can’t handle it, but I completely agree. When I worked at Starbucks one of my fellow partners only did warming, no cafe POS or checking in on the drip coffee.. It was annoying, especially when we were short staffed and I had to hop off bar to brew coffee. They were excellent with DT and talking to customers but refused to be anywhere but warming.. another person who was excellent on bar did just that, they were excellent in everything but taking orders. In the eyes of a former trainer, moving around partners from time to time helps work on their weaker areas and appreciate each role of the store.
Adorable_Track_827 [OP] -1 points 2y ago
yes exactly! it’s great they are good at something and always stick with that but if they refuse to do bar or just are not good at it after plenty of time, at the end of they day they were hired to be a BARista and if they just want to do the cooking or drive thru there are plenty of other jobs that hire specifically for that.
epixgamer64 3 points 2y ago
I agree 1000%. SMs cater too much to one position baristas. It ruins the experience and makes it harder to place people and rotate positions like we are supposed to.
LatteMaster 3 points 2y ago
Its because of one and one problem only, fear. The barista doesnt think they can bar from day one and thus tries to avoid it. A good manager will FORCE them to be on bar and good supervisors will support that decision. But shifts dont get paid enough to argue and cant afford terrible times so they just comply and stick the person on front or window. I personally think if you cant bar after a year to the point that you can make any drink without much error, its time to go.
Cristian92sc 0 points 2y ago
Thank you, you really get the point. It's the baristas fault. A whole year is more than enough time. To practice, to speak up, to say something if you really are not given the chance. And shifts shouldn't be blamed for that. The SM is after them for times and they really don't get paid enough to care that much. So it's one thing or the other. And since times affect them directly, I wouldn't blame them at all.
christinayoooo 2 points 2y ago
I started back in September. Since I work in the AM, off the bat I was never put on bar because having a green bean on bar during peak wasn’t seen as an option to my SM and SSVs. I’m super bubbly and talkative so like 90% of my shifts since I started are on either DTO or window. I’ve asked to be on bar and have been told they can’t afford to have me on bar and affect times especially since we’ve been short staffed.
happybowlita83 2 points 2y ago
A handful of times or 5 hours of bar times in a span of 5 months is not close to enough for anyone to get the hang of things. Even if they've been with the company for more than a year... they have close to now bar practice therefore they can't be expected to magically be great at bar after being with sbux for 1+ years but 5 hours of bar time. It's crazy to think that would be possible, most people are hands on learners....
dnims24 2 points 2y ago
When I was a barista I would hop on bar in the mornings but my shift always moved me to reg. I will admit my sequencing wasn’t the best but I was working on it
lilkiosk 2 points 2y ago
I’m always on bar. We have a couple people who are always dt. The worst part is the dt people we have aren’t even good at dt. But they suck at everything else. It’s just such a weird thing. But my store is just desperate for bodies right now. However, I do know that other stores keep people in certain roles because that’s what they’re good at and that’s how things move quickly.
the-homosexualagenda 2 points 2y ago
One of my first closes as a shift lead I only had one person besides me that was comfortable with dtb. Needless to say it was a rough night and now I make a point to put everyone on cafe bar for at least an hour. Especially if I have a cold bar support.
blueberrrytea 2 points 2y ago
i learned bar my first week, and so does everyone else at my store. i’ve been there probably 3-4 months and have been on it a lot, but this one girl has been here 3 months and hasn’t learned a single thing on bar. and no one will teach her i honestly feel bad because she’s stuck on drive through every time she works.
biggestsaddest 2 points 2y ago
Back when I worked at the company, I was constantly put anywhere and everywhere except for bar. Not because I was bad at bar or hated it, but because I excelled at customer support and drive through. I would often be seen doing customer support tasks, front register, and warming/food at the same time. For a lot of non-bar partners, it's just not justified putting them somewhere when they could do the jobs of 2 or even 3 people in another position
zach000101 1 points 2y ago
i feel like this is the opposite of me. i’m great at drive through and i’m super quick with drive. but when my drinks are slow on drive, i can easily help make drinks. i’ve learned it’s a struggle with confidence and i’m learning that messing up is there but you’ll get the rhythm and routine with time. i’m so much more great at it now and i’m thankful. i have wonderful helpers in my midst and my SM actually took me on bar to assist me.
No_Introduction8689 1 points 2y ago
This is at my store too. i transferred from a really busy and i mentioned i was really good at DT bc of that and now all i get is DT and i have to chomp at the bit to get a bar spot. you’d think bc it’s significantly slower they’d be more willing to put me on bar but it just never seems to happen.
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