Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
↑
14
↓
question/rant about mask mandate policy (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by grandtheftwholefoods
Our store was recently told we’re not allowed to enforce our city’s local mask mandate. However, during training, Starbucks emphasized the importance of us (baristas) having the right to refuse work we deem unsafe/a risk to our health. Additionally, city mandates and ordinances cannot be overwritten by corporate regulations. So what’s the deal? I would rather deal with unruly customers & keep my coworkers and my family safe than DISOBEY A LOCAL ORDINANCE and RISK KILLING MY IMMUNOCOMPROMISED FAMILY THAT LIVES WITH ME. but what do i know? i’m a replaceable $12/hr barista, the textbook definition of a cog in the machine. The executives who work cushy office jobs in Seattle know what’s best for me, not my silly poor self! Keep working, even if your family gets infected! Keep working, even if your beloved coworkers die from a deadly respiratory virus! Business first! Money! Keep making drinks! Keep working!
anyways. i hope y’all’s upcoming shifts r easy and go by quickly. much love
anyways. i hope y’all’s upcoming shifts r easy and go by quickly. much love
esaeklsg 7 points 1y ago
There was some issue with baristas being assaulted for trying to enforce the mask mandate (in addition to many other instances at non-Starbucks). Coporate obviously doesn’t want the liability for that, but if you catch covid, you can’t really prove you got it at work.
I’m very pro mask-mandate but definitely had concerns when they started that it puts the onus of enforcing it on your average retail worker. I’m not a fan of that. But I don’t know what the right answer is.
I’m very pro mask-mandate but definitely had concerns when they started that it puts the onus of enforcing it on your average retail worker. I’m not a fan of that. But I don’t know what the right answer is.
bloodfeier 1 points 1y ago
The "right" thing to do is 2-fold. 1, if your employer has an anonymous way to report things up the chain to an HR person, send this to them. 2, whatever US state you're in (Assuming you're in the states and not a state that is AGAINST mask mandates, such as Texas), you should have a Bureau of Labor and industry Division (BOLI) or an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and you should be able to file an anonymous complaint about the order to do no enforcement of safety mandates to one or the other of those divisions, in all likelihood. Nothing may come of it, but something might too.
esaeklsg 1 points 1y ago
The “right” comment makes it sound like a reply to the last part of my post… and that really isn’t what I was talking about….
bloodfeier 1 points 1y ago
Sorry, but it’s true. In this case, obeying the law has the added effect of keeping everyone safe, and I doubt that the corporate overlords want regional/local management telling people “break the law because it’s too much hassle.” It IS a hassle, but they can’t say “don’t do unsafe stuff” and then come back and say “do unsafe, illegal stuff” too!
esaeklsg 1 points 1y ago
I didn't say it wasn't true, I said it wasn't really a response to my comment. Your comment is "this is what you do in response to this situation." I had no comment on what action OP should take, but was instead adding context as to why someone might think not enforcing the mask mandate to be the best course of action. As on a quick google search, $1 $1 $1 for trying to enforce the mask mandates. My comment of "I wish it wasn't your average retail worker responsible for this" is not correctable by "actually this is the right answer for what you do" because they are different topics.
Chemical-Less 3 points 1y ago
It's bc they wanna keep even their shittiest customers happy and avoid potential lawsuits from the very small handful of assaults probably. If the local law says you must enforce the mask mandate, them follow the law, not the company procedure that breaks it. If no person is allowed in without a mask, then don't allow it. They cannot fire you for following the law, and if they try to, you have one HELL of a lawsuit case lol. They tried to pull the same shit at my store when the mandate went back into effect and I told them all this to their face. Still have my job! And no mfer is allowed in without their nose and mouth covered up 🙄🙄
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.