Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
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The new ovens are a lawsuit waiting to happen (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by strawberryjamsesh
I hate them. They’re literally causing headaches. It’s frankly unrealistic to be able to switch partners off every 1-2 hours when we’re understaffed/in a rush. Not to mention even being close to them when I’m running front makes my head hurt like hell within thirty minutes. The process to clean them is not efficient (oh! And it’s been 2 weeks and they still haven’t sent us the damn cleaner!), and I’m convinced someone’s gonna get burned. They’re way harder to hear with a quieter beep, too. Mainly I’m disgusted by the fact that Starbucks prioritizes productivity over their employees health and well-being. Not surprised, but I am outraged that they thought this was a good idea. I hate them.
EDIT: the headaches/vertigo were NOT mentioned in the Manual, and I was misquoting my fellow shift manager about it. Sorry about that! What is mentioned, however, in the For Your Safety section, 3.4 Summary of Hazards, it does list “excessive microwave energy” as a hazard point (page 28), as well as lists precautions to prevent harmful exposure to excessive microwave energy in the warnings. These are in regards to potential burns, specifically. (I’ll add the pics from the manual when I figure out how. The ovens are Merrychef eikon e2s). Some members of our team, me included, are prone to headaches and vertigo, and there are claims out there that excessive microwave radiation can cause headaches and fatigue (not a huge amount of studies have been done, but there’s a few exploring negative effects on the body. If you’re interested, you can look up “Microwave sickness”, but I will say it hasn’t been heavily researched from what I can gather.) This is where I misquoted my shift. I apologize again for the confusion! I should have done more research myself before posting.
EDIT 2: there is a radiation warning on the side of the oven. I’m guessing that’s where this all started. $1
EDIT 3: $1 and $1
EDIT: the headaches/vertigo were NOT mentioned in the Manual, and I was misquoting my fellow shift manager about it. Sorry about that! What is mentioned, however, in the For Your Safety section, 3.4 Summary of Hazards, it does list “excessive microwave energy” as a hazard point (page 28), as well as lists precautions to prevent harmful exposure to excessive microwave energy in the warnings. These are in regards to potential burns, specifically. (I’ll add the pics from the manual when I figure out how. The ovens are Merrychef eikon e2s). Some members of our team, me included, are prone to headaches and vertigo, and there are claims out there that excessive microwave radiation can cause headaches and fatigue (not a huge amount of studies have been done, but there’s a few exploring negative effects on the body. If you’re interested, you can look up “Microwave sickness”, but I will say it hasn’t been heavily researched from what I can gather.) This is where I misquoted my shift. I apologize again for the confusion! I should have done more research myself before posting.
EDIT 2: there is a radiation warning on the side of the oven. I’m guessing that’s where this all started. $1
EDIT 3: $1 and $1
SelocAvrap 142 points 1y ago
"Oh no I took a fall next to the new ovens from vertigo that definitely wasn't just to get workman's comp"
Seriously though, fuck that. If the new ovens make you feel like shit, you shouldn't have to use them. For legal reasons, I do not endorse faking a fall to get workman's comp and citing the user manual, but I'm just a guy on the internet and can't stop you if you do
Seriously though, fuck that. If the new ovens make you feel like shit, you shouldn't have to use them. For legal reasons, I do not endorse faking a fall to get workman's comp and citing the user manual, but I'm just a guy on the internet and can't stop you if you do
Livetheuniverse 126 points 1y ago
Wait what? What exactly is mentioned in the new manual?
mhgl 38 points 1y ago
I know that Turbo Chef ovens have always had warnings about prolonged exposure to excess microwave energy but they basically just say to be sure the door seals properly.
By the way, the Spongebob like capitalization below is how it pasted from the manual, not a comment made by me.
PrECAuTIONS TO AVOID POSSIBLE EXPOSurE TO EXCESSIVE MICrOWAVE ENErGy
(a) Do not attempt to operate this oven with the door open since open-door operation can result in harmful exposure to microwave energy. It is important not to defeat or tamper with the safety interlocks.
(b) Do not place any object between the oven front face and the door or allow soil or cleaner residue to accumulate on sealing surfaces.
(c) Do not operate the oven if it is damaged. It is particularly important that the oven door close properly and that there is no damage to the: (1) Door (bent), (2) hinges and latches (broken or loosened), (3) door seals and sealing surfaces.
(d) The oven should not be adjusted or repaired by anyone except properly qualified service personnel.
By the way, the Spongebob like capitalization below is how it pasted from the manual, not a comment made by me.
PrECAuTIONS TO AVOID POSSIBLE EXPOSurE TO EXCESSIVE MICrOWAVE ENErGy
(a) Do not attempt to operate this oven with the door open since open-door operation can result in harmful exposure to microwave energy. It is important not to defeat or tamper with the safety interlocks.
(b) Do not place any object between the oven front face and the door or allow soil or cleaner residue to accumulate on sealing surfaces.
(c) Do not operate the oven if it is damaged. It is particularly important that the oven door close properly and that there is no damage to the: (1) Door (bent), (2) hinges and latches (broken or loosened), (3) door seals and sealing surfaces.
(d) The oven should not be adjusted or repaired by anyone except properly qualified service personnel.
Loolander 114 points 1y ago
What? I've literally never heard of this. I've had the new ovens almost a year and no one has said anything.
canidieyet_ 47 points 1y ago
same. nobody at my store complains about them except for the person who is on front register (they’re right behind and it’s hard af to hear customers)
HGoddess88 5 points 1y ago
Same here
k8mitchy 69 points 1y ago
…there’s new ovens? I thought the touch screen ovens were the new ones. Unless they are?
strawberryjamsesh [OP] 38 points 1y ago
The touch screen ones are the ones I was referring to
CoffeeChesirecat 58 points 1y ago
What makes them cause vertigo? My store has the old ovens still, but I have a history of vertigo so I'm a little concerned now.
strawberryjamsesh [OP] 42 points 1y ago
Because it uses a combo of microwaves, there’s a risk with being around it for more than two hours. I’ll go find the manual and quote it as soon as I’m back in the store.
Lost_Treat_6296 8 points 1y ago
Let me know when you find the manual.. I'm interested now. I'm primarily a bar mate but I get put on warming when it's morning and hellishly busy
dallizzlee 4 points 1y ago
Whoa is this legit? Please do. I’ve had several instances of intense vertigo to the point of seeing stars while working front, on different occasions. It only happens when I’m on front. I thought I was being dramatic but I absolutely dread working there now because I get dizzy when I’m there.
CoffeeChesirecat 3 points 1y ago
Could your vertigo out front be from the sunlight? Personally, that's a huge migraine trigger for me..if the shades aren't pulled down on a sunny day, I sometimes get migraines. It sounds so dumb, but the sunlight reflecting off windshields will do it.
dallizzlee 2 points 1y ago
I don’t think it’s the sunlight but I did think it was related to the lighting when it first started happening. I guess maybe it could be sunlight? I honestly don’t even know if we have shades lol. We must?
ximacx74 2 points 1y ago
Visible light is more dangerous radiation than microwaves. You might be getting hot from being near the ovens which could lead to some symptoms being worsened, but the microwaves aren't causing it.
7beforeminutes5 1 points 1y ago
I saw your comment up a bit with a quote from the manual but do you have anything specifically about the 2 hour mark? It’s at least 15 to 20 degrees hotter in our warming area and I hate it! They also seem to be really warming up the store as a whole!
acnh1222 23 points 1y ago
As someone with chronic migraines, I’m curious about this too. We still have the old ovens and they are working fine but I want to know in case they decide to switch.
ImportantWeekend 19 points 1y ago
I had no idea that they cause vertigo, but it makes a lot of sense. I can’t be put on oven anymore after getting a really bad vertigo spell while on warming. I figured it was just due to all the head movement involved with getting food from the fridges and turning around to grab pastries, but maybe it has something to do with the ovens themselves I guess.
mhgl 1 points 1y ago
For the record, they do not cause vertigo. See the manual sections I posted and the OP's update.
Microwave sickness is a disputed condition and is generally thought to (if it is real) affect RF workers who deal with huge amounts of microwaves, not commercial / residential microwave ovens.
Assuming it is real and applies to these ovens, the microwaves of these ovens are contained when they are properly sealed. If they aren't properly sealed, you're going to get a hell of a lot more than vertigo. You're going to get an early preview of what Hell will be like.
It's sad that OP's manage was spreading misinformation that then got spread here but that's how the internet works.
Microwave sickness is a disputed condition and is generally thought to (if it is real) affect RF workers who deal with huge amounts of microwaves, not commercial / residential microwave ovens.
Assuming it is real and applies to these ovens, the microwaves of these ovens are contained when they are properly sealed. If they aren't properly sealed, you're going to get a hell of a lot more than vertigo. You're going to get an early preview of what Hell will be like.
It's sad that OP's manage was spreading misinformation that then got spread here but that's how the internet works.
ImportantWeekend 2 points 1y ago
That’s what I figured after I read through the manual myself. I definitely still think warming is hard for people that already struggle with vertigo, but instead because of the heat and movements, nothing to do with the ovens themselves.
Necessary_Low939 19 points 1y ago
I’m jealous u got the old ones 😒 we recently got new ones. I also don’t like the new espresso machines lol
7beforeminutes5 1 points 1y ago
New espresso machines? Like the ones we got in 2018 with blonde arriving or something newer than that?
Necessary_Low939 2 points 1y ago
No it’s the one u are talking bout. I just never like those lol. Prefer the old one. Easier to clean too.
7beforeminutes5 2 points 1y ago
Same here. And I swear the grounds drawer didn’t fill nearly as fast either! Frequently it’s more of a muddy sludge in there than the nice solid pucks
Necessary_Low939 54 points 1y ago
The new ovens don’t even make the food crispy like the old ones. It’s hard to take food out. Overall sucks
Marty_the_Smarty 33 points 1y ago
I’m confused too. I haven’t experienced any vertigo using the new ovens. And I’m not worried about microwaves because microwaves can’t travel through metal. I’m interested in the literature if you have it.
ThankfulWonderful 7 points 1y ago
Yeah- a page in the safety and security manual perhaps would be best?
clumsycalico 2 points 1y ago
Someone commented the section above
collinscreen 33 points 1y ago
Fight for workplace democracy! Unionize and follow @SBWorkersUnited
Mr_SCPF 21 points 1y ago
This some 5G causes cancer shit lmao
teratooga 17 points 1y ago
i mean…microwaves are a form of electromagnetic radiation. it wouldn’t cause cancer but its not healthy to be exposed to this radiation at all let alone for hours straight.
MountainGoat999 17 points 1y ago
Wow i didn't even know about the vertigo thing. The ones in my store have been routinely causing parchment paper to catch fire while in the oven. Totally OSHA approved guys!
sweet-seat 12 points 1y ago
i have sooo many scars from the new ovens 🥴 it's waaaay too easy for stuff to slide to the back and it's impossible to reach with just the tongs
dizzymeatball 12 points 1y ago
I've already burned myself on the new ovens and I have a nasty blister on my hand ;-; I miss the old ovens
imathrowayslc 7 points 1y ago
Umm you should have a break every 2 hours or so and your shift should really be adjusting the play and have you in a different position after each break. Ask your shift why they aren’t rotating people on their 10s.
midgethepuff 16 points 1y ago
You must not have the displeasure of constantly working understaffed
clumsycalico 4 points 1y ago
Right? And by whose math can I have a break every 2 hours on an 8.5 hour shift with 3 breaks lol
cartwheelkristina 1 points 1y ago
If you get 3 breaks on a shift like 10-630, you should get one at 12, at 2, and at 4:15ish which is every 2 hours. Where I am, we're only required to give one 30 minute lunch break on shifts longer than 5 hours so you work for 4 hours at a time on an 8 hour shift. As a supervisor I don't even get the opportunity to have a break 😅
NotyourangeLbabe 7 points 1y ago
I hate the new ovens. So do most of the partners at my store. I love that they’re fast, but they burn you so easily! We’ve had two partners that had to go to urgent care due to severe burns. I hate them.
lowserotoninlevels 5 points 1y ago
i have three pretty severe burns on my hand from the new ovens. they’re no joke
victorious_gem 3 points 1y ago
cleaning the new ovens is a pain 😓
PaleontologistLoud37 2 points 1y ago
my store JUST got them, today was my first shift using them and i don't think i've ever hated an electronic device more
mhgl 2 points 1y ago
Out of curiosity, what are the new oven make / models?
ImportantWeekend 2 points 1y ago
Merrychef e2s I believe
mhgl 3 points 1y ago
Thanks! I’m not finding anything about vertigo or headaches in the manual. Really looking forward to u/strawberryjamsesh following up with the manual because this is very interesting.
I found these precautions:
PRECAUTIONS TO AVOID POSSIBLE EXPOSURE TO EXCESSIVE MICROWAVE ENERGY
Do not attempt to operate this oven with the door open since open-door operation can result in harmful exposure to microwave energy. It is important not to defeat or tamper with the safety interlocks.
Do not place any object between the oven front face and the appliance door or allow soil or cleaner residue to accumulate on sealing surfaces.
Do not operate the oven if it is damaged. It is particularly important that the oven door closes properly and that there is no damage to the (1) door (bent), (2) hinges and latches (broken or loosened), (3) door seals and sealing surfaces.
The oven should not be adjusted or repaired by anyone except properly qualified service personnel.
I found these precautions:
PRECAUTIONS TO AVOID POSSIBLE EXPOSURE TO EXCESSIVE MICROWAVE ENERGY
Do not attempt to operate this oven with the door open since open-door operation can result in harmful exposure to microwave energy. It is important not to defeat or tamper with the safety interlocks.
Do not place any object between the oven front face and the appliance door or allow soil or cleaner residue to accumulate on sealing surfaces.
Do not operate the oven if it is damaged. It is particularly important that the oven door closes properly and that there is no damage to the (1) door (bent), (2) hinges and latches (broken or loosened), (3) door seals and sealing surfaces.
The oven should not be adjusted or repaired by anyone except properly qualified service personnel.
ImportantWeekend 1 points 1y ago
The only reason I know the model name is because I went searching too 😂 im also really curious, because I’ve had a decent amount of vertigo spells while on oven, to the point that I’m never placed there anymore. Although I do struggle with vertigo very regularly, being on warming seems to make it much more intense. I’m surprised to see so many people relate to it, but it’s pretty validating to know I’m not the only one.
Fluid_Pay_302 1 points 1y ago
You don’t have to operate any machines or do any tasks at Starbucks that you don’t feel safe doing. And punitive action against you for this reason is retaliation and is illegal.
Stormy_Owl_ 1 points 1y ago
I just hate the permanent smell of burnt plastic that they have every time you open them
GiantGiraffe1120 1 points 1y ago
The curtis’s for iced coffee and lemonade whatever you use it for also has the cancer and reproductive harm on it
tvaldez9800 1 points 1y ago
Someone send me a picture please omg we still have the old one
strawberryjamsesh [OP] 1 points 1y ago
I work tomorrow, will find the manual again. I was quoting a fellow shift of mine in regard to the headaches/vertigo, and I trust their word as they have read it, but getting a direct quote is also important. I promise to find the quote they were referring to ASAP for y’all as to not spread misinfo. We’ve had three morning baristas get really bad headaches after being on warming for too long, and that’s what sparked the conversation about headaches/vertigo. Take the claim with a grain of salt until I find more proof, of course. Sorry for the delay!
Hazel_is_Trans 1 points 1y ago
New oven???? What???
Pinephish 1 points 1y ago
WAIT I do warming like every day oh hell that's why I've been getting migraines a lot.
Improvmomolyfe 1 points 1y ago
What productivity? I can’t see the settings til I close the door! It takes me a second cuz it says door open whenever it’s open
[deleted] 1 points 1y ago
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