Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
↑
55
↓
Random Advice For New SSV'S (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by OutrageousDeer8593
Between people looking to apply for barista positions, fresh green beans, and freshly promoted ssv's, im constantly thinking about what ive learned that have helped me the most. These are more for keeping my mental stability rather than say "tips on how to properly cycle breaks and count tills"
For new ssvs
1. If you don't finish all your tasks, you dont finish all of your tasks. Do not feel ashamed about leaving things unfinished. Do not stay extra. Do not skip your breaks. From a closer who stayed 30 minutes after EVERY close because there just was not enough time, if you consistantly need more time to complete what is asked of you, that is a scheduling/labor issue and is the responsibility of your manager to fix or adjust.
2. Prioritize your baristas and yourself. Dont skip breaks. You and your coworkers who are on 8 hour shifts deserve BOTH of your 10's. Drive times are slow? Your manager needs to schedule more people so you arent running a 3 partner play for 2 hours while you try to get 4 people their 30's.
3. When youre not at work, dont think about work. If the backroom is a mess and you think you can come up with new schematics to organize it efficiently, do it when you're getting paid to. Not on your day off.
4. Listen to your coworkers. Im fortunate enough to have coworkers who will come to me if they have complaints or problems, but even when your coworkers are venting to eachother on headset, pay attention. I heard a coworker complain on headset that we didnt have gloves that fit their hands once, made a note to my morning ssv to order their size and let me tell you I've never seen someone happier over a box of disposable gloves in my life.
5. Be firm on policy. Whether its Starbucks official policy or one specific to your store by your manager, be firm. When your baristas tell you, "hey this customer is upset because I wont do XYZ like you said we are not supposed to, they want to talk to you" and you cave and give the customer a recovery card, apologize and go against policy to give them what they want, why would a barista ever uphold policy again? If you don't stand up to customers for your baristas, your baristas know you wont stand up to your manager for them.
This next piece is just something I like to say.
You deserve a place to work where you dont dread coming in, aren't miserable while you're there, and aren't exhausted when you leave. Do what you can. Don't sweat the rest. Do right by your baristas and fellow ssv's and keep it movin.
And for those who have terrible management, my suggestions would be to push for weekly meetings with just ssv's and your SM to discuss new ideas, past frustrations, and ask for advice. Don't take initiative beyond setting up communication (which really shouldnt be on you anyway). Trust me when I say this, if you think you can "fix" your store, your DM should be paying you salary to do it. Clock in, do your job, Clock out.
You're all doing a great job!
I owe allegiance to no corporation.
Lmk what things you've learned that have helped you the most.
For new ssvs
1. If you don't finish all your tasks, you dont finish all of your tasks. Do not feel ashamed about leaving things unfinished. Do not stay extra. Do not skip your breaks. From a closer who stayed 30 minutes after EVERY close because there just was not enough time, if you consistantly need more time to complete what is asked of you, that is a scheduling/labor issue and is the responsibility of your manager to fix or adjust.
2. Prioritize your baristas and yourself. Dont skip breaks. You and your coworkers who are on 8 hour shifts deserve BOTH of your 10's. Drive times are slow? Your manager needs to schedule more people so you arent running a 3 partner play for 2 hours while you try to get 4 people their 30's.
3. When youre not at work, dont think about work. If the backroom is a mess and you think you can come up with new schematics to organize it efficiently, do it when you're getting paid to. Not on your day off.
4. Listen to your coworkers. Im fortunate enough to have coworkers who will come to me if they have complaints or problems, but even when your coworkers are venting to eachother on headset, pay attention. I heard a coworker complain on headset that we didnt have gloves that fit their hands once, made a note to my morning ssv to order their size and let me tell you I've never seen someone happier over a box of disposable gloves in my life.
5. Be firm on policy. Whether its Starbucks official policy or one specific to your store by your manager, be firm. When your baristas tell you, "hey this customer is upset because I wont do XYZ like you said we are not supposed to, they want to talk to you" and you cave and give the customer a recovery card, apologize and go against policy to give them what they want, why would a barista ever uphold policy again? If you don't stand up to customers for your baristas, your baristas know you wont stand up to your manager for them.
This next piece is just something I like to say.
You deserve a place to work where you dont dread coming in, aren't miserable while you're there, and aren't exhausted when you leave. Do what you can. Don't sweat the rest. Do right by your baristas and fellow ssv's and keep it movin.
And for those who have terrible management, my suggestions would be to push for weekly meetings with just ssv's and your SM to discuss new ideas, past frustrations, and ask for advice. Don't take initiative beyond setting up communication (which really shouldnt be on you anyway). Trust me when I say this, if you think you can "fix" your store, your DM should be paying you salary to do it. Clock in, do your job, Clock out.
You're all doing a great job!
I owe allegiance to no corporation.
Lmk what things you've learned that have helped you the most.
sheep_heavenly 20 points 1y ago
>1. If you don't finish all your tasks, you dont finish all of your tasks. Do not feel ashamed about leaving things unfinished. Do not stay extra. Do not skip your breaks.
Good fucking grief this is so hard. You'll be guilt tripped by everyone along the way, but stand your ground.
>4. Listen to your coworkers.
>I heard a coworker complain on headset that we didnt have gloves that fit their hands once, made a note to my morning ssv to order their size and let me tell you I've never seen someone happier over a box of disposable gloves in my life.
I tell my baristas that even if it's impossible to fix, tell me when things make them upset. I'm a miracle worker! Kinda.
My favorite was a barista complaining that we really just needed more people, maintenance worker was dead in the center of our bar blocking the handoff. Boom, no problem, I'm handing out drinks from the lobby side and telling the maintenance dude to move the fridge he's working on out from the backline.
We're literally paid to solve problems and count money. The joy of fixing something making barista life hard is honestly the thing that sustains me here.
>Lmk what things you've learned that have helped you the most.
Piggybacking off #4, ride or die baristas will salvage absolute shitshows for you, baristas that hate you will make shitshows out of utopian daydreams for fun. Not saying to let baristas do wtf they want 24/7, but listen, offer support and guidance vs coaching/discipline when possible, and make sure they know you actually care. You can approach a surly barista clocking in from lunch a few minutes late with a firm lecture about timeliness and customer connections, or you can take a few minutes to ask what's up and learn that they're going through some shit and needed an extra moment.
You can write someone up for being a crappy worker a couple of times over a few weeks, or you can support growth past the behavior into an amazing coworker that feels supported and will hopefully pay that care forward.
Good fucking grief this is so hard. You'll be guilt tripped by everyone along the way, but stand your ground.
>4. Listen to your coworkers.
>I heard a coworker complain on headset that we didnt have gloves that fit their hands once, made a note to my morning ssv to order their size and let me tell you I've never seen someone happier over a box of disposable gloves in my life.
I tell my baristas that even if it's impossible to fix, tell me when things make them upset. I'm a miracle worker! Kinda.
My favorite was a barista complaining that we really just needed more people, maintenance worker was dead in the center of our bar blocking the handoff. Boom, no problem, I'm handing out drinks from the lobby side and telling the maintenance dude to move the fridge he's working on out from the backline.
We're literally paid to solve problems and count money. The joy of fixing something making barista life hard is honestly the thing that sustains me here.
>Lmk what things you've learned that have helped you the most.
Piggybacking off #4, ride or die baristas will salvage absolute shitshows for you, baristas that hate you will make shitshows out of utopian daydreams for fun. Not saying to let baristas do wtf they want 24/7, but listen, offer support and guidance vs coaching/discipline when possible, and make sure they know you actually care. You can approach a surly barista clocking in from lunch a few minutes late with a firm lecture about timeliness and customer connections, or you can take a few minutes to ask what's up and learn that they're going through some shit and needed an extra moment.
You can write someone up for being a crappy worker a couple of times over a few weeks, or you can support growth past the behavior into an amazing coworker that feels supported and will hopefully pay that care forward.
WonderfulYam2440 9 points 1y ago
Number 3. is so hard for me, and i’m just a barista. It’s a good reminder. You guys are doing amazing and yall don’t get paid enough for the shit you put up with. Love you.
mrhammerant 7 points 1y ago
I'm about to apply for Shift. This whole thing is exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you. Wish me luck!
gleeful1 6 points 1y ago
If you work through your breaks or at any time “off the clock” you are providing data that shows more work can be done with less paid labor. You are not only hurting yourself, but every other employee. Bux measures what is done relative to PAID labor hours and then sets targets for improvement. Working during breaks makes it seem like the proper amount of labor was given and makes an already incorrect equation worse. Time worked is time paid.
FfierceLaw 4 points 1y ago
As a barista, Number 5. Policy gets waived so much to Make the Moment Right or Surprise and Delight that we just stop enforcing it. Espresso shots in Trenta cups. Warmed lemon loaf. We don't even have that much "policy" when it comes to customers. We'll sell every piece of pastry to someone in the first half hour, we don't limit the catering demands. Surprise and Delight? More like Spoil and Delight, although it gets harder and harder to delight someone who is spoiled
Unhappy-Cat 1 points 1y ago
Man I needed this. I’m one of two opening shifts at my store and I’m responsible for ALL of the store orders. It’s a lot of stress especially when partners don’t tell you things are out/running low. It’s literally all on me to make sure we have everything. The other shift only works the easy days. I missed the milk order today and it was eating me alive, but I’m trying so hard to tell myself I am only human and it’s a minor mistake.... not the end of the world.
This nonprofit website is run by volunteers.
Please contribute if you can. Thank you!
Our mission is to provide everyone with access to large-
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
©2023 HumbleCat Inc • HumbleCat is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Michigan, USA.