It might have been the result of an investigation where Ethics/Partner Resources recommended doing a documented coaching with each partner to set a standard, that way if things continue there’s an easy way for the SM to continue documentation with the problematic partners. That’s frequently an outcome of investigations where they can tell it’s almost a store-wide issue

I don't think I would have signed it. If you're not the one with the issue, why are you getting a write-up about it? "documented coaching" is just Starbucks jargon for written warning / write-up, after all. I would go back and ask her why you're being disciplined for an issue she explicitly told you that you were not responsible for.

My SM has plenty of serious conversations with partners without using write-ups -- hell, when there was a major issue going on between me and a barista she sat down with each of us separately to discuss the issue and how to handle it, and I didn't have to sign anything detailing how I was supposed to treat the person being awful to me. There's something bizarre about using write-ups as, idk, proof that you talked to people who aren't involved about not getting involved??

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If it’s a store issue then yes. It’s just to make sure all partners are on the same page. If you’re not coached or written up often it’s fine.