Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
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Back Pain from DTR (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by Starbucks_IVF_MAMA
I primarily work DTR (idk why) and I'm 5ft small woman. When customers park far from the window I have to stand on my tiptoes and lean out. Sometimes I have bruises on my ribs from doing this.
Lately after work I'm in extreme back pain, crying pain. I've tried icy hot, medicine, heat, ice, ect.
My coworker said to keep my feet planted and the customer can get it. But when I've done that the customer gets angry with me and my manager says I'm not "making good connections."
Idk what to do. What would ya'll do or say to customers or manager?
Lately after work I'm in extreme back pain, crying pain. I've tried icy hot, medicine, heat, ice, ect.
My coworker said to keep my feet planted and the customer can get it. But when I've done that the customer gets angry with me and my manager says I'm not "making good connections."
Idk what to do. What would ya'll do or say to customers or manager?
Decent-Ad3066 31 points 1y ago
I'd ask to be moved around. My shifts know I hate window and apologize when I have to go there. They also try not to keep me there long
Starbucks_IVF_MAMA [OP] 20 points 1y ago
I always get hit with "but this is where I need you." I've spent a whole 8hr shift as solo drive before. As if NO ONE else is capable of doing it.
Decent-Ad3066 0 points 1y ago
Have you talked to your SM?
WesternEvery1779 18 points 1y ago
The policy is to move positions throughout your shift to prevent injury. You can remind them of safety procedures so that they move you.
Starbucks_IVF_MAMA [OP] 5 points 1y ago
Where do I find this policy?
WesternEvery1779 8 points 1y ago
Safety & security manual is on the hub if you don't have a copy of the safety guide from when you were hired
Anngggiiiee 16 points 1y ago
5’3, I stand my ground, hold the drink or items at arms length, basically telling the customer “you reach for it” without saying it. If they customer gets angry “i tell them i cant reach you”. If they say something else like “you can lean” i tell them our cafe is always open & close the window
Hoax_Pudding_Cup 11 points 1y ago
Honestly, during holidays when we get a lot of tourism, I puff out my stomach a little. Why, you may ask? "I'm sorry, I'm currently pregnant and can't reach."
53389091 8 points 1y ago
I used to get INSANE hip pain from being in window. I avoided it and refused whenever I could. I would argue. I would start shifts by specifying I didn't want to be in window that day and why. I also was really good at cs and bar so it was honestly not a common issue but I'm dramatic af. Fuck window. It's the worst. Also you can technically pull policy as long as you can do other positions decently and say that you need to be switched out and not on the same position for your whole shift. Those policies are in place to avoid repetitive motion injuries.
-zombie-squirrel 3 points 1y ago
Where can I find the policy? I’m dealing w a similar situation
53389091 3 points 1y ago
You can find it on the Partner hub if you just search a bit (it's not Google, it's dumb, use short phrases). But honestly if you say "I've heard this is policy to help alleviate repetitive motion injuries in the workplace. Would you, SM, mind clarifying the details of the policy for me so that we're not putting our partners at risk, and protecting the partner experience." Fyi, I've heard a lot of stores will have you do a different position between breaks (so your shift gets broken down into essentially 2hr blocks of different things). Hope that helps.
-zombie-squirrel 1 points 1y ago
Thanks!
Iprobablyhateyou4 7 points 1y ago
I feel the pain, I’m 5’2 and my abdomen hits it every time. I started my period at work and my abdomen hitting that made my cramps worse. Ask and demand to be moved, keep saying it, make it known. That’s what I do, if there’s 3 shift, I’ll ask for bar time, when I first get there, during my dtr shift, then after my 10. I love drive thru but my abdomen hitting it hurts.
Maybe do some stretches before going onto dtr. I wish we could get like a little step up but I can see why they would say no.
Maybe do some stretches before going onto dtr. I wish we could get like a little step up but I can see why they would say no.
Kmsss 2 points 1y ago
Ask for an accommodation. It’s within your right to do so, but you will likely need a drs note.
cookiemonstah87 2 points 1y ago
I've been dealing with a back injury from an 8 hour DTR shift 3 months ago. I think the only way it's going to heal is if I actually take some time off. Definitely don't reach unreasonably far! Their door opens, our wall does not
JavaWasp 2 points 1y ago
I’m also 5 feet tall. Keep those heels planted! I know it’s hard but your back can’t take it. And whoever is covering for your break can surely take a two hour rotation. Pardon the pun, but you gotta stand up for yourself.
Kryrieonn 2 points 1y ago
Shorties represent! I too have to fling my whole body out the window to hand off drinks so I can relate to the rib cage pain. I would recommend also trying new shoes! I'm not sure how long you're at window for but good shoes should help with lower back pain and over all better for standing fatigue.
altercidal 1 points 1y ago
I was 7 months pregnant and i didn't know i didn't have to do window and bruised my entire abdomen. im 5'1 and it was a horrible experience. Gratefully my shifts don't give me shit when i told them i can't work window anymore 🙏
Starbucks_IVF_MAMA [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Are there company policies for pregnant partners?
altercidal 1 points 1y ago
Not really many accommodations because of the nature of the job, it's fast pace with a lot of bending etc but they have a paid maternity leave, which is rare to find in the US
Mission-Accident-917 1 points 1y ago
ask for an accommodation or honestly get a deep tissue massage once a month they fixed this very problem for me but are kinda expensive
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