Maybe you could enlist their help. Like....could you help me quit by not vaping in the bathroom because I am trying really hard to quit and it makes it difficult when I go to the bathroom and it is full of vape smell. Bonus is that since it is against policy they get a double win by not risking a write up.
Is there any place they can go outside to vape?

Since you aren't seeing it, only knowing it's happening, you need to report to the SM. that's either corrective action or dismissal.

Honestly... hear me out because ive worked for a lot of different places with all sorts of management style... Youre not going to stop it I know that sucks but its the truth... tell them your boss is on your back about it and that they need to learn how to do it without causing a smell and away from all products and food/drink stations... the most talkative liked barista will eventually come to you seperatly you have them do the work for you just say something like "Damn I really wish these baristas would stop making their vaping in the bathroom so obvious all they have to do is ghost it or blow into the hand dryer" THEN word will spread and it'll be less obvious you may smell it from time to time but definitely not as often best of luck work smarter not harder

What is the reason they won't just walk a few more steps and go outside?


I would be tempted to start the process of writing them up and letting them go.

Mind your business. That’s my only advice.

Tell your manager, and get them written up. Or straight up send them home. If they want to do that, their hours can go to someone else.

Sounds like a you problem tbh

i honestly don’t know why it’s such an issue. if they’re doing it privately and don’t want to quit that’s their prerogative, not yours. also if you have quit you probably know how hard it is and could use empathy in this situation.

Are they allowed to stick their heads out the back door to vape? In my experience this is common practice at most stores and it's going to be difficult to fight such a deeply entrenched part of the culture.

It could be a customer, even one who just walks in to use the bathroom and doesn't order anything. If it is your baristas, consider that they may be doing it as a middle finger to your leadership in general. Take a step back and listen to yourself. Are you leading with empathy or are you being a Barney Fife "gotcha" type? My store has had an SM and SSVs we'd walk on coals for because of their leaderhship skills, but not everyone has that gift

im not a shift and i smoke and vape but we have designated the outside area specifically for that. you take your ten or lunch and sit out there or in your car. so it’s not taking it away, but giving us a space to do it without an irritable smell or breaking store policy

Have you tried making a Reddit post? That usually solves everything

Zero tolerance for smoking in store. Regardless of what the substance is. Sorry not sorry.

Bruh half my store vapes and we still dont do that shit. I would tell your SM immediately since as someone said before, you havnt seen it with your own eyes. Make sure to let them know that you've connected with them about it several times and let them know it is to the point that you are seriously considering taking their vapes hostage. Not only is this awful for you, but if someone allergic to nicotine goes in that bathroom it would be game over for them. We have someone whos with us thats allergic to nic here, and even the smallest wisps of a puff get to her face her throat starts tightening.

Honestly, if I were you in this situation, I would ask them to not smoke in the bathroom and explain you're trying to quit using. If not suggest them to go outside when they're on their 10/30. Either way, Starbucks doesn't allow smoke/vape inside of its stores. If not, talk to your SM and corrective action will take place w/a write-up.

if they wouldn’t smoke a cigarette in the bathroom (they wouldn’t, starbucks is only non-smoking properties) then they shouldn’t vape. they can go outside or in their cars, and if after talking to them about it being against policy and/or local laws and they’re still doing it, then you need to go to your SM

Seems like something not worth bringing up, you can’t prove they are doing anything nor can you really stop them. Just wait to use the bathroom till it’s been empty for a while and mind your business

If you have a good relationship with your baristas, I’d try let them know that while you’re not accusing anyone but you’ve noticed people, whether baristas or customers, have been smoking in the bathroom. This is totally not allowed and personally making it a very difficult work environment for you - can they support you by doing their best to make sure that no one is smoking in the bathrooms & you’ll support them by letting them take 5s as needed to go vape outside?

That was no one is being singled out & you’re reminding everyone that you’re a team that needs to look out for each other! To make sure things are fair I also give non-smokers quick ‘smoke breaks’ too so they can stay relaxed during a shift.

They'd get fired in Canada. I'd gladly be the rat, too. Go the fuck outside.

Honestly sounds like a you problem. Give it a minute or use the other bathroom

It's a bathroom that usually smells of shit, who cares if it smells like blueberries instead. That and you quit 2 months ago, just get over it

It's impossible. Good luck

Let them vape

Reading all these, and as a shift, tell the sm. It’s a health and safety violation, and if you had an audit or something and they ended up being the ones to see this instead, it would not be good. My store has fired 1 person for this, and relocated another person to a different store.
You might feel bad for a bit, but in the end it’s for the best, not only for you but the store and the company as well.

Try installing a fire alarm there, one of the beeping kind.

Uhhh vaping inside is illegal is it not? How do they still have jobs? Just go outside or be a nice shift and have them run trash then take their ten so they can vape in the trash area….I don’t get how this is even allowed to be an issue 🤷🏽‍♀️

Oh my gosh “reeks of damn blueberry paradise” killed me 😂😂😭
Only thing I can think of is telling them to do it on their breaks outside?

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They can literally go out to their car on their 10 to do that why do it in the bathroom

Honestly I’d just suggest to them to go to their cars on their 10s and do it there. My SM had pulled aside a couple of people and asked them about their bathroom habits. But I feel you, I quit 3.5 months ago and sometimes when the smell hits me I get really amped up and frustrated. I tell some of my baristas to take it to the car or at least to the dumpster

Um isn't this against the law? I know it seems kinda extreme but I would say hey you're violating a federal law.

threaten to install a vape detector in the bathroom if they can’t go outside. maybe it’s an empty bluff but often the idea of a smoke/vape detector will deter people.

You don’t. They’re business. I smoke cigars and cigarettes as well as vape. Vaping is more healthier than the other two

at least they’re doing it in the bathroom. nothing matters:

Stop snitchin

Tell your SM this constitutes a final or separation