Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
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Venti rant: Power tripping shifts don't make me miss working for the Bux (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by hecaete47
Two weeks ago was my last shift. My partner numbers still work. Either my manager forgot to put it through, it's taking a long time to process, or my manager is trying to avoid horrid turnover rates since someone else left a week prior to me. Regardless, they still work.
Obviously, I have gone to get a markout almost every day. It's free, I know what I like, and there are many locations around me.
Because they could stop working any day now, I clarify, "I may have partner numbers but I'm a former partner/I just quit so I'm unsure if they're still working." That way, if they don't work, it's less awkward/known beforehand. Honestly, 99% of baristas on register are amused by it like "yeah get that free drink!"
But ugh. this one transaction! First, she asks for my ID. Like yes, of course, I have my partner card on my phone! Easy! Then she snarkily is like "no, your ***ID*** ID. Your real ID." So I'm like ??? A partner card is a valid form of identification. So she's just like "fine, we'll scan it to see if it works." I'm so lost, like are people photo-shopping screenshots of partner cards now a scam or something??? Our customer base isn't that advanced. I guess it was better proof for her on the screen though. IDK. If I had the energy I probs would've pointed out that it's honestly transphobic as fuck to ignore the existence of partner cards (where someone can have their chosen name) and require an ID with birth names and other info. Then as I'm about to leave because it works, she's like "By the way, in the future I wouldn't tell people about that." Like what is going to happen? Oooh am I gonna get fired? I QUIT! Maybe don't be so high-strung over someone managing to leave here and wanting to take advantage of a free drink or two to compensate for the fact that my hand is STILL healing two weeks later from insane dryness and BLISTERS from constantly using hand sanitizer and touching sanitizer water.
I don't know... That interaction just had me so heated! It really reminded me of how much it's really "partners who have drunk the Kool-Aid and make it worse for other partners by vomiting up corporate bs" versus "partners desperate to leave the second they can"
Obviously, I have gone to get a markout almost every day. It's free, I know what I like, and there are many locations around me.
Because they could stop working any day now, I clarify, "I may have partner numbers but I'm a former partner/I just quit so I'm unsure if they're still working." That way, if they don't work, it's less awkward/known beforehand. Honestly, 99% of baristas on register are amused by it like "yeah get that free drink!"
But ugh. this one transaction! First, she asks for my ID. Like yes, of course, I have my partner card on my phone! Easy! Then she snarkily is like "no, your ***ID*** ID. Your real ID." So I'm like ??? A partner card is a valid form of identification. So she's just like "fine, we'll scan it to see if it works." I'm so lost, like are people photo-shopping screenshots of partner cards now a scam or something??? Our customer base isn't that advanced. I guess it was better proof for her on the screen though. IDK. If I had the energy I probs would've pointed out that it's honestly transphobic as fuck to ignore the existence of partner cards (where someone can have their chosen name) and require an ID with birth names and other info. Then as I'm about to leave because it works, she's like "By the way, in the future I wouldn't tell people about that." Like what is going to happen? Oooh am I gonna get fired? I QUIT! Maybe don't be so high-strung over someone managing to leave here and wanting to take advantage of a free drink or two to compensate for the fact that my hand is STILL healing two weeks later from insane dryness and BLISTERS from constantly using hand sanitizer and touching sanitizer water.
I don't know... That interaction just had me so heated! It really reminded me of how much it's really "partners who have drunk the Kool-Aid and make it worse for other partners by vomiting up corporate bs" versus "partners desperate to leave the second they can"
SplashStick 11 points 2y ago
Idk if y’all have taken the time to read the Partner Guide in full, but it should’ve been given to you when you were hired. Within the identification policies, we are required to verify that you are a partner if you are trying to mark out product. It states that the partner card is fully acceptable as proof of employment if presented, because it is issued by the company and verified by corporate databases. Otherwise, partners ‘may’ use state-issued IDs, but we cannot ask for such legal IDs as the partner card is valid enough representation, and legally-issued IDs may represent a gender or name identification that does not align with preferred gender or name ID preferences. Tl;dr: take the partner card on its own, or use a state-issued ID to verify partner numbers by the name in our system. It’s policy and it’s just less problematic for everyone!
aspen_silence 1 points 2y ago
If a partner is just scanning their app, you still need to ask for ID to verify. It was in the weekly update when they announced the discount would automatically work now in store when a partner scans their app. Also, individual stores may have a policy per the SM to verify all partner numbers. This is what we have to do at my store because we have so many partners coming through due to a major university literally a block over. Sucks sometimes but seriously, everyone should have a government issue ID at all times anyway.
kitcat1210 1 points 2y ago
oh my god THANK YOU. people on here keep saying it’s standard to ask for ID.... like no it’s not if theyre using the partner card. please yall know your standards im begging you.
hecaete47 [OP] 1 points 2y ago
I mean it’s normal for internet spaces but it does feel like a ton of partners on here are quite proud of holding up inaccurate information instead of just reading the partner guide, weekly updates, and any other company issued information on the partner hub. Thankfully my store made time for everyone to read weekly updates so everyone was on the same page.
LatteMaster 2 points 2y ago
Tbh first I should point out that I dont care what the hell you do. Now thats out of the way, I would argue that asking for your ID is perfectly ok. Technically you are supposed to ask for ID if you are unsure. Also I would imagine the barista told you not to advertise what you were doing because it is actual theft. Again I dont care but just want to point out that 1. The barista did their job by asking for ID and most baristas are just lazy. 2. You no longer work for the company and just because you can doesnt mean you should. If you worked at a sports field for example and had a spare set of keys do you think it would be ok to use them if you quit/were fired. No that would be illegal. Just some thoughts. Also asking for ID is NOT transphobic, its the rule… don’t use words like that out of meaningful context it just ruins their meaning.
hecaete47 [OP] -6 points 2y ago
ID or partner card are both equally acceptable forms of identification. The partner card is literally given by Starbucks for the purpose of identification. It is TRANSPHOBIC to insist that ID is the only way to accept identification and if you think otherwise, you need to check your privilege. I’m saying this as a cis ally who knows many trans partners. The partner card is company-issued and allows your chosen name, so it’s very important to remember it as a form of ID. The fact that she INSISTED on ID and was unsure about the partner card was just weird and transphobic. My new job offers an employee discount but doesn’t have a partner card equivalent. It’s awkward as fuck that ID is the only way to verify employees and when I’ve had some trans employees come in, they were clearly uncomfortable but resigned themselves to having to show it whenever they shop since they knew the rules. My manager and I always overcompensate by using their chosen name at least a few times in the conversation.
The thing is- apparently I do work for the company. Otherwise, the numbers would not be working. It’s not my fault if they haven’t taken me out of the system and I quite literally can’t escape it since if I paid, I’d be doing so with the app that still has my partner card and would still be giving me the discount and extra stars. This is entirely on my manager. If I order paying with my app, some partners see the apron and automatically mark my order as free. So what, am I just supposed to pay cash or completely avoid Starbucks until god knows how long?
The thing is- apparently I do work for the company. Otherwise, the numbers would not be working. It’s not my fault if they haven’t taken me out of the system and I quite literally can’t escape it since if I paid, I’d be doing so with the app that still has my partner card and would still be giving me the discount and extra stars. This is entirely on my manager. If I order paying with my app, some partners see the apron and automatically mark my order as free. So what, am I just supposed to pay cash or completely avoid Starbucks until god knows how long?
LatteMaster 8 points 2y ago
1. Asking for an ID to ensure that the name matches between the phone and you is not “Transphobic” whatsoever you dont get to define the word and you are using it incorrectly, its common sense cmon also its a partner working at a starbucks… really think they are intending to be transphobic? If they differ it wouldn’t matter because last name would match and you could explain you have a different name. If you have the physical partner card then sure there is no point but just making sure doesnt make a partner transphobic. They were probably just trying to impress their manager or trying to make up for any fuck ups they had made in the past by following rules by the book. But you are too busy accusing them of having a power trip to actually take a second to think.
2. If you have quit you no longer work for the company. Just because you have access to some systems does NOT allow you to use them. You clearly did not read my example above… You should be telling the baristas at the window to click no when it asks if it matches the partner card so you are not getting the free benefits. What you are doing is textbook theft. Maybe you can look up that definition while you are looking up what transphobic means. I smell your ignorance and lack of critical thinking from a universe away.
2. If you have quit you no longer work for the company. Just because you have access to some systems does NOT allow you to use them. You clearly did not read my example above… You should be telling the baristas at the window to click no when it asks if it matches the partner card so you are not getting the free benefits. What you are doing is textbook theft. Maybe you can look up that definition while you are looking up what transphobic means. I smell your ignorance and lack of critical thinking from a universe away.
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