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Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind

Full History - 2021 - 08 - 27 - ID#pcxl4j
60
My wrists are KILLING ME. 😫 (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by strangeyeena
I wish they would hire massage therapists to rub partners hands and wrists during breaks, instead of spending money on dumb pizza parties. Maybe I’m just a baby, but the pumps really be hurtin’ my hands. 🥲
4filth 26 points 1y ago
you guys are getting pizza parties?
strangeyeena [OP] 10 points 1y ago
It makes me sad that not everyone is getting pizza. I guess I just have really nice managers. They kinda made it seem like SB was paying for it, but maybe I misunderstood.
[deleted] 1 points 1y ago
[deleted]
zzid2d21 21 points 1y ago
There are a few things that can help. You can buy wrist splints from CVS/Walgreens/Walmart. Stretch your wrists backwards with your fingers interlaced then switch which hand is on top and do it again. Do wrist circles. You probably have or are developing repetitive stress injury (my opinion, I used to be a nurse a million years ago) Google exercises to help repetitive stress. Good luck and stay healthy! Almost forgot… when you pump those super thick syrups, try to keep your wrist as straight as possible and let your elbow do most of the work.
strangeyeena [OP] 10 points 1y ago
Thanks for the tips! I already stretch and do wrist circles when I can. I’ll have to focus on keeping my wrists straight from now on while pumping. I hope my hands don’t give out. 😭
hmmyeahrightokaythen 10 points 1y ago
This last sentence is good advice imo. others stare at me bc I pump the sauces a lil forceful like this 😬 it’s really my elbow working and the base of my palm pushing down, which makes it sound a little louder than normal if I’m in a rush during peak, but it works for me! I haven’t had wrist problems in the few years I’ve been at the bux… but how long you’re on bar and for how many days plays a big factor lol my weak unstretched arms can only take so much
zzid2d21 8 points 1y ago
It’s really tough when you bar a lot! Especially now that it’s pumpkin spice season!!!
FfierceLaw 9 points 1y ago
pizza parties?
strangeyeena [OP] 7 points 1y ago
My manager is always buying pizza for everyone. Do you not get pizza?
miniinovaa 8 points 1y ago
I worked there for years and have never gotten pizza unless I was the one ordering for my team (I was a supervisor)
strangeyeena [OP] 3 points 1y ago
Hm. Maybe that’s the case for my store too. Just my manager and ASM being nice to the staff and buying us pizza out of pocket. Good on you for taking care of your team. 😌
duiopgffvf 1 points 1y ago
SMs have debit cards they can buy us food with. If your manager never does they’re probably just an asshole. My manager gets us pizza, Wendy’s, Thai, and more
madamesoybean 5 points 1y ago
Try using K-Tape on your wrists. Or that bandaging stuff that sticks to itself. Your wrists need support. But it sounds like work related injury tbh. (sprain or strain) Please ice those puppies after work too.
-beam-me-up- 3 points 1y ago
Omg tell me about it my tennis elbow is forever with me
strangeyeena [OP] 2 points 1y ago
Automated pumps would be soooo nice. RIP to everyone’s joints.
WombRaider9999 2 points 1y ago
Dude imagine doing that with a healing broken wrist😫free physio I guess😂
HotDogClouds 2 points 1y ago
But no, you aren't a baby. Everyone else there is in pain and they either don't realize it's from this job or they just keep quiet because what are they going to do about it? They need to pay bills.
HotDogClouds 2 points 1y ago
Repetitive movements screw over the human body. One of my arms are visibly stronger than the other because I was stuck on drive thru for 6 months straight. Also bud, I'm sorry to tell you but don't count on management to be helpful. But pro tip: if you get a doctors note for a condition they can't do shit about it. But ya see, If you work at Starbucks you don't exactly have the visits to be throwing around to just get a note for something that has already been confirmed by medical professionals. And wouldn't you know, making mocha hurts like a son of a bitch. I also have carpel tunnel and the mocha hurt so fucking bad, so I negotiated with my coworkers to switch closing tasks and I would end up doing more work but I was ok with that because I wasn't coming home unable to sleep rolling around in agony from my wrists and arms. There were NO issues with this system. My coworkers got to give a task they didn't wanna do to me and they just do mocha in return. At least there wasn't until management for some reason thought that me doing so was insubordinate and I needed to whisk mocha every time I was on shift and I got in shit if I didn't do it myself. I explained the situation to them and how my coworkers have no issue: in fact it benefits them and they don't mind. I don't stick up for myself on nearly anything, but I fought this til the bitter end.

But what might help is kinda noting what movement you're doing on shift and try to find the opposite of that movement and do it at home. So your wrists get more than just the same exact stuff over and over again. Wrists splints can help, and wrist exercises as well. But if you suspect ( or you have family history of conditions ) that there is something medically going on, get to a doctor and GET THAT NOTE.
justkeepswimmingswim 2 points 1y ago
I have fibromyalgia so RIP my entire body 🥴
strangeyeena [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Oof. I can’t even imagine. 😭
I hope your crew is understanding. Do you try and avoid bar as much as possible?
justkeepswimmingswim 2 points 1y ago
The exact opposite, the other partners that I work with have had a bullying mentality since I started. I’ve had conversations with both my SM (multiple times) and DM. I don’t get a say in where I go, no matter what. Others get choices and will tell my SM “no” but he never works with me, no matter what.

I’m looking for work at home jobs to make things a little easier. I’ve had it with the way these people treat me, I’ve had it with my SM- he seems to target me too and has even said I need to pick up the pace and told me that I’m slow while he was trying to make it seem like that’s not what he was saying. This isn’t enough money for me anyway but the way we’re expected to work just isn’t working with my mobility. There’s a lot to unpack at my store; it’s not in the best neighborhood either and there is nothing I enjoy about working here.

Also, I hope you find a solution for your wrists! This job can be tough on the body. Remember to take care of yourself first, always!
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