Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
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Not Getting Accommodations Requested, What Recourse Do I Have? (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by ajspivey
Background: I'm a over 5 year partner who broke both of my feet a hot minute ago.
I have requested to be scheduled 4 days (for as close to 20 hours total) and to not work bar. That is so I can recover more/not overwork myself.
I'm still regularly getting 5 days and 28 hours.
But the real crux of the matter is bar: I have expressed that I am physically incapable of bending essentially to the floor every 40sec so that I can keep the milks in the fridge.
I have been told that it's ok to leave milk on the counter if they are "in active use" (but I disagree with that from a drink quality perspective). Today my DM said the milks need to be in the fridge. My shift said he (the DM) was saying that explicitly for the health inspector.
That just doesn't jive with me though, either it's standard or it's not. If it's not good enough for the health inspector I don't see how I'm supposed to rationalize it being OK for the customers.
TLDR: am I allowed to outright refuse bar?
I feel like I'm being as reasonable as I can about the situation, but honestly I feel like I'm actively being physically punished for being good at my job. (Why are people other people allowed to be too bad to put on bar, but I'm not allowed to take myself off bar for health reasons?)
I have requested to be scheduled 4 days (for as close to 20 hours total) and to not work bar. That is so I can recover more/not overwork myself.
I'm still regularly getting 5 days and 28 hours.
But the real crux of the matter is bar: I have expressed that I am physically incapable of bending essentially to the floor every 40sec so that I can keep the milks in the fridge.
I have been told that it's ok to leave milk on the counter if they are "in active use" (but I disagree with that from a drink quality perspective). Today my DM said the milks need to be in the fridge. My shift said he (the DM) was saying that explicitly for the health inspector.
That just doesn't jive with me though, either it's standard or it's not. If it's not good enough for the health inspector I don't see how I'm supposed to rationalize it being OK for the customers.
TLDR: am I allowed to outright refuse bar?
I feel like I'm being as reasonable as I can about the situation, but honestly I feel like I'm actively being physically punished for being good at my job. (Why are people other people allowed to be too bad to put on bar, but I'm not allowed to take myself off bar for health reasons?)
guavalemonades 19 points 1y ago
Honestly? Have a doctor's note. If you can't do it, you can't do it.
silversungoddess 9 points 1y ago
Did you make a formal accommodation request with PRSC?
The SM or SSV can refuse your request but if you go through PRSC and it’s approved then they HAVE to follow it. I’m going through this myself. I’m still on leave but awaiting my accommodations to be approved so when I go back there won’t be any questions
The SM or SSV can refuse your request but if you go through PRSC and it’s approved then they HAVE to follow it. I’m going through this myself. I’m still on leave but awaiting my accommodations to be approved so when I go back there won’t be any questions
ajspivey [OP] 0 points 1y ago
I sure didn't.
It happened while not too long ago and I was def on a loa for like half of a year.
I was operating on pretense that them being aware that I broke both my feet would hopefully be sufficient for me to not need a doctor's note explaining how that affects my ability to bend. (I've got way too much faith in peeps)
A: how does one do that?
B: what is the probability they'll be like "ha, you said you can't do your job. Now you're fired."?
It happened while not too long ago and I was def on a loa for like half of a year.
I was operating on pretense that them being aware that I broke both my feet would hopefully be sufficient for me to not need a doctor's note explaining how that affects my ability to bend. (I've got way too much faith in peeps)
A: how does one do that?
B: what is the probability they'll be like "ha, you said you can't do your job. Now you're fired."?
silversungoddess 6 points 1y ago
In order to request special accommodations you call 1-888-sbux-411 and press the prompt for partner relations. It’s like the 3rd or 4th option. Speak to the rep and then wait for them to get back to you requesting drs note etc. they’ll ask for a timeline for how long you’ll need this for (for mine my doctor put “until further evaluation in 3 months” which is acceptable as per their guidelines)
As for firing you, they can’t fire you when you put in a medical request and if they did they’d have to pay unemployment. I mean, in “at will” states they can but it would be stupid of them to do so …
Edited to add: plus I think if they fire you for requesting a reasonable thing regarding medical that it goes against the disabilities act and they could be in trouble for that but don’t quote me on that.
As for firing you, they can’t fire you when you put in a medical request and if they did they’d have to pay unemployment. I mean, in “at will” states they can but it would be stupid of them to do so …
Edited to add: plus I think if they fire you for requesting a reasonable thing regarding medical that it goes against the disabilities act and they could be in trouble for that but don’t quote me on that.
ajspivey [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Awesome, thanks for the info.
I was thinking about the disabilities act, but I was also definitely thinking about the fact I'm in a "right to work" state. So I don't fully know how those pieces fit together.
:/
I was thinking about the disabilities act, but I was also definitely thinking about the fact I'm in a "right to work" state. So I don't fully know how those pieces fit together.
:/
goldqueen287 8 points 1y ago
You are allowed to refuse anything you think puts your health in danger. It’s in the training modules and you can enforce it anytime. If your sm puts up a fight just keep reaching for higher authority until someone sides with you. But tbh if you can do it I’d leave. I wouldn’t work for anyone with that much of a lack of empathy
ajspivey [OP] 3 points 1y ago
I def feel that from an ethics/fairness standpoint.
But, from a practical standpoint: I have multiple major surgeries immenently coming up and would prefer to still have health insurance when those happen.
But, from a practical standpoint: I have multiple major surgeries immenently coming up and would prefer to still have health insurance when those happen.
goldqueen287 3 points 1y ago
Okay that’s reasonable too. Stay safe and don’t forget your worth :)
XMyshelX 4 points 1y ago
After a car accident I couldn’t do bar for long periods of time …. But my manager accommodated me no questions…. On the milk issue it is standard to have milks in fridge…. My new store does not care milks out during peak for sure.we’re so busy we go through it faster than it’s going to go bad… it has to be higher than 40 degrees for 2 hrs to become a problem…. But milk does foam up better when cold … lactose and sciences and stuff….
ajspivey [OP] 2 points 1y ago
Kk, I was hoping someone would weigh in on the milk standards.
Cause I've got people(@work) being like "yo it's totally fine to leave them out while if it's busy" and my brain is just like "there is a right way to do things and a wrong way, this is the wrong way".
I kinda feel like I'm being the asshole here, but also I cannot do something the wrong way when I know what the right way is. (I'm on of those unbearable "10 shakes for every refresher, water in every chai latte" kind of work ethic people)
Cause I've got people(@work) being like "yo it's totally fine to leave them out while if it's busy" and my brain is just like "there is a right way to do things and a wrong way, this is the wrong way".
I kinda feel like I'm being the asshole here, but also I cannot do something the wrong way when I know what the right way is. (I'm on of those unbearable "10 shakes for every refresher, water in every chai latte" kind of work ethic people)
XMyshelX 3 points 1y ago
I’m a 10 yr partner- still count to 10 when shaking lol
brewerybitch 2 points 1y ago
You need to request an accommodation through the PSRC, not your SM or DM. It will most likely be denied and you will have to take a LOA. The reduced hours will be approved, but you do have to be able to work all positions.
ajspivey [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Yeah, was my big concern. The ole "oh, you can't do every aspect of this job you've been at for 5 years? Later then."
It's especially irksome considering how many baristas we have that I have never seen on bar.
It's especially irksome considering how many baristas we have that I have never seen on bar.
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