So like… I’ve worked in Starbucks land for over 3 years, and you know how many times I’ve called in?

4. 3 of which were allowed.

First cuz my brother was dealing with mental health issues and my mom begged me to take a day off. I had to call around to see if someone could cover my shift and thank god someone said yes. I honestly bursted into tears and my mom had to finish the call on the phone cuz I couldn’t talk and we have near same voices. Thank you mother for saving me from the shame!

Second because my cat had to be put down and I was close to having a meltdown cuz my bro was suicidal, my parents had cancer and now my cat of 16 years was dying? But I was refused… even though the day before someone called in cuz her dog was sick. But my manager answered and said no.

Third because I was sick all week and had a COVID scare.

And fourth? I called in sick, and what happens? One of my coworkers is like, well, like what’s going on? You don’t sound well. So I call someone and they can’t take the shift. I call back to work, and then get freaking INTERROGATED for like five minutes. And then my coworker is like, “well, I don’t know what this means, or if you’ll have to self isolate for 15 days—“ seriously? I literally had a bug, that was it. So she says she needs to call our manager, or that I should.

At this point I feel like a burden and call my manager— and wake her up! She’s disoriented and confused and finally is like “wait, you’re just calling in to work? Why are you calling me the?”

And I just… 😤 “I was told to because my coworker wasn’t sure if I’d need to self isolate—“

My manager was pretty much saying it wasn’t necessary to call her and that we’d talk tomorrow. The next day she said she would have to talk to my coworker about how people call in to work.

That person has been there 12 years btw.

You know what happens to other people? I know because I work mornings and people call in all the time: they call “hey, I can’t come in, I’m sick” “oh, feel better” maybe they ask their symptoms but they don’t get interrogated!

And I’m still pissed about my cat!!!

I’ve worked there three years. I have so much covered sick time, and others call in ALL THE TIME!! I was like “I’m never gonna call in again!” I never call in, why am I seemingly treated differently?!