Ultimately, PotQ is determined by the store manager. The 'votes' are really just nominations.

Often SMs will use the votes to help determine, but I've talked to one who just chooses who they think deserves it.

Sadly you’re not alone, and I agree it definitely a popularity contest, I pick up shifts stay late, train, and work my ass off, but it still isn’t good enough.

I worked at Sbux for 3 years and never got a PoQ even though shifts would routinely thank me for kicking ass. I am more on the shy side and have a processing disorder that made it difficult for me to interact with customers to the extent that management wanted. I noticed at my store that the people who were most talkative and with customers seemed to get PoQ every time

My store is just about who works in the mornings. If you work in the afternoon you have no chance.

PoQ is a joke. I nominated the mop bucket to see what would happen and we all got a lecture about how important it is for keeping morale up. Manager ended up choosing the laziest barista because he kissed her ass every shift he worked with her.

I’m feeling the same way honestly. It’s frustrating and I wish I had an answer

It’s totally a popularity contest. I’ve been here freaking 2 years and people who have been here for a few months have gotten it.

100% same.
I’ve been with sbux for a total of like 4 years and never made partner of the quarter. It’s that time again and I’m just sighing internally every time I see that box..

So I’ve been with Sbux since 05, and have been nominated once. Don’t really remember when they came out with POQ. but I honestly think think the only reason I got that is because I made such a big deal about never getting it before. Before I came to the store I’m at now I can tell you they definitely picked friends not ppl that deserved it

This one is tough. I go in and find other ways to feel appreciated. You determine your self worth! Even if it is a popularity contest look at it as a way to celebrate that person instead of feeling like you got overlooked. If it was you, wouldn’t you want your peers to be happy for you? Don’t wait for someone else to tell you that you are the POQ!! Just wear that hat anyway!!

if it makes you feel better i always vote for the people who do the most heavy lifting, helping other baristas, coming in early, etc. they’re the ones who deserve it so that’s who i always vote for.

I wanna preface this by saying I don’t know your store, your manager or you - so take absolutely everything here with a grain of salt, but I just wanted to throw out my observations:
Yes, being the hardest worker is a great thing - but the people who get my PoQ vote are those who work hard but also help the entire store feel more unified & fun. I can’t speak to who you are as a person, I don’t know you at all, but if it really is a situation where you are working hard, making everything click, etc - it might just come down to what shifts you work. For example, at my store we have a barista who works Fri evening, Sat & Sun. They’re someone of PoQ caliber, I’m probably voting for them next quarter, but the weekday morning crew barely or never works with them. Yes, there are stores where the people who suck up to the manager constantly get PoQ, but others aren’t like that - so im speaking towards my experience in stores who vote instead of it coming down to the manager. Regardless, best of luck next quarter <3

same boat here, barista of over 2 years and never been nominated for POTQ or considered for any kind of promotion and rarely acknowledged to my face, but apparently when im not there (according to one shift) im praised for my hard work and improvement.

the best advice i can give you?

slow down a bit and don't wait for someone else to acknowledge you, recognize yourself.

don't break your back for a corporation and a boss that chooses favorites, it will only make the job harder on you. if you're still passionate about your work then keep the ship running smoothly for you and everyone else there working minimum wage, not for external recognition—trust me, it's equivalent to speedrunning burnout and disappointment, lol.

i wish they'd make you feel more seen, it's hurtful to get to overshadowed when you work so hard, but in the end You know that you're contributing, You know you excel at your job, and You know that the most important validation is from yourself.

hope this helps, it's certainly been helping me.

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Poq is honestly the worst thing for a lot of peoples mental. Its always disappointing for baristas that work hard with it in mind. At both of my stores, almost everyone knew eachother from highschool or college or somewhere before. Whether they were neighbors or cousins or family friends, you could be the most outgoing barista and the friendliest to everyone, most reliable, make every drink right, and you would still be second to their friends. It's frustrating. It's something you gotta get over and accept at some point though since I don't think the system will every be changed.

At my store it’s the opposite. The new barista at my store got the most votes but my manager chose the least popular and worst barista at our store to win despite her only getting 1 vote 🤪 best part is now my coworker who definitely won things my manager hates her and doesn’t want to work with her anymore.