Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
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autistic partner asking for advice / sort of vent? (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by cynicosm
hi everyone, i've been with starbucks about a year now and being autistic hasn't made work any easier for me
for any other autistic partners, what do you do to help you get through a shift in such a high-volume, high-stress, overstimulating environment?
(my coworkers do not know i am autistic, and i'd prefer to keep it that way for the time being. i don't want to be treated differently or feel like i have to prove something just because i'm autistic. i'm more so looking for advice on how y'all get by, not necessarily what the company provides in terms of helping autistic and otherwise disabled partners.)
i'm fine enough at masking, so i can get through a hard day at work okay, but it genuinely feels like i am fighting for my life sometimes. the sound of people talking, the headset, blenders, milk steaming, everything coupled with grease from preparing food and syrup on my hands is so overstimulating, but i know i can't have a meltdown at work so it just manifests in my temper rising until i either a) lose it or b) my shift ends, in which i spend the entire rest of the day exhausted.
we are severely understaffed somedays, and i don't always have time to step away to breathe and wipe away all of the textures and feelings on me.
and it doesn't help that our customer connection score is extremely low, so our SM and SSVs have been pushing us to connect and connect. which i get is required of us, but i'm not always able to have conversation and make eye contact and listen to customers tell me about their days. it's not that i don't want to, i just don't work that way! when my SSVs try pushing me in that direction of connecting with customers, i try to laugh it off as just me not liking people, and then force conversation when my brain is screaming at me to do anything but. i accidentally am short with customers, and will not understand them, and it results in them rolling their eyes and snapping at me for something that i didn't mean and don't really understand, so i don't know why i even bother some days!
i want to keep working at starbucks, but as i reach my full year, i can only look back at how exhausting having to mask at work is. i spend so much of my time outside of work simply trying to bounce back.
so other autistic partners, i know you're out there, what do you do to get through each day? or share your experiences and struggles as well, i'd love to know i'm not alone here
for any other autistic partners, what do you do to help you get through a shift in such a high-volume, high-stress, overstimulating environment?
(my coworkers do not know i am autistic, and i'd prefer to keep it that way for the time being. i don't want to be treated differently or feel like i have to prove something just because i'm autistic. i'm more so looking for advice on how y'all get by, not necessarily what the company provides in terms of helping autistic and otherwise disabled partners.)
i'm fine enough at masking, so i can get through a hard day at work okay, but it genuinely feels like i am fighting for my life sometimes. the sound of people talking, the headset, blenders, milk steaming, everything coupled with grease from preparing food and syrup on my hands is so overstimulating, but i know i can't have a meltdown at work so it just manifests in my temper rising until i either a) lose it or b) my shift ends, in which i spend the entire rest of the day exhausted.
we are severely understaffed somedays, and i don't always have time to step away to breathe and wipe away all of the textures and feelings on me.
and it doesn't help that our customer connection score is extremely low, so our SM and SSVs have been pushing us to connect and connect. which i get is required of us, but i'm not always able to have conversation and make eye contact and listen to customers tell me about their days. it's not that i don't want to, i just don't work that way! when my SSVs try pushing me in that direction of connecting with customers, i try to laugh it off as just me not liking people, and then force conversation when my brain is screaming at me to do anything but. i accidentally am short with customers, and will not understand them, and it results in them rolling their eyes and snapping at me for something that i didn't mean and don't really understand, so i don't know why i even bother some days!
i want to keep working at starbucks, but as i reach my full year, i can only look back at how exhausting having to mask at work is. i spend so much of my time outside of work simply trying to bounce back.
so other autistic partners, i know you're out there, what do you do to get through each day? or share your experiences and struggles as well, i'd love to know i'm not alone here
saltandseasmoke 5 points 1y ago
Tell your manager and supervisors that you have sensory issues (especially if you're diagnosed and it's documented - no judgement if you're not, just that accommodations are easier to get when you are). Sometimes the best way to get through an overstimulating day is to retreat. See if your shift will give you a break to go do dishes or a trash run or just decompress in the back room for a bit. Volunteer for CS where the variety of tasks you're doing may stop you from having to be socially 'on' or engaged in a way that's super draining. I'm not autistic but i do have ADHD and auditory processing issues, and i've just been up front with my manager etc about that so that they know where I'll thrive (bar), and where i'll flounder (DTO). Some days I still have to take a time out and get off the floor for a bit to get my bearings. Good management will understand if that's necessary for you to do your job better.
submissivegayalien 5 points 1y ago
I've had to tell my supervisors that I have sensory issues. A few days ago I got extremely overstimulated, and I had to sit down in the back for a few minutes. It was embarrassing, but my supervisor and manager seem understanding, and I think it was another barista who let the supervisor know that I should probably go sit down.
I'm still fairly new, so I don't have much advice, but I relate very much to what your going through.
I'm still fairly new, so I don't have much advice, but I relate very much to what your going through.
badbaristuh 2 points 1y ago
I’ve heard about Loop ear plugs, which are noise-reducing ear plugs that still allow you to hear whoever is speaking to you. You can probably get away with wearing these because there’s nothing explicitly in dress code prohibiting them, but it may be that you have to provide documentation for your autism to at least your manager if they’re strict. Starbucks is expected to make all reasonable accommodations, which includes not putting you in positions that you cannot comfortably work, or making demands of you that you cannot meet. I like to compliment people in order to avoid a conversation-style connection — it still counts and usually they just respond with “thank you” or a different compliment and leave with their drink. You’re still probably making their day. It’s tough out there being ND at sbux, you’re doing great as is
boobahky 2 points 1y ago
I wish I had better advice, but I haven't found a solution either. I started 3 months ago and have had 3-4 meltdowns at work due to the overstimulation. Which sucks, because I love the work itself, but I have decided that my only option is to find other work. I'm looking but haven't had the best of luck, so I've just been staying to myself and trying to focus on the working first, pushing it down until I leave. I have tried explaining that I have sensory processing issues to my coworkers and SM, to no avail. They've basically said, that's the job. So, there's your answer I supposed. :/ I wish you the best!
Good_Pay_4439 1 points 1y ago
1. Loop ear plugs. I wear them every single shift. My SM isn't too strict so I didn't file for an exemption. I do have my diagnosis on file though just in case I need it.
2. I don't make eye contact. I stare at the bridge of customer's noses. This helps.
3. When syrup is sticky and tacky I will pluck a few ice cubes from the bin onto the counter with the scooper and then pick them up and rub them along my hands and arms to help scrub it off when I can't step away to wash my hands. (This is never a replacement...just a way to avoid overstimulation.
4. Purposely slow down if I start to feel overwhelmed. If I can count to ten I can probably reset my panic button and keep going.
5. Volunteer to run trash or clean bathrooms. This is a way to escape the...everything. even if it's only for a few minutes.
2. I don't make eye contact. I stare at the bridge of customer's noses. This helps.
3. When syrup is sticky and tacky I will pluck a few ice cubes from the bin onto the counter with the scooper and then pick them up and rub them along my hands and arms to help scrub it off when I can't step away to wash my hands. (This is never a replacement...just a way to avoid overstimulation.
4. Purposely slow down if I start to feel overwhelmed. If I can count to ten I can probably reset my panic button and keep going.
5. Volunteer to run trash or clean bathrooms. This is a way to escape the...everything. even if it's only for a few minutes.
Poptart0911 1 points 1y ago
Try looking into working at a licensed store. I'm autistic and work at Target Starbucks. There are busy times for sure, but there's also plenty of times I have atleast a bit to step away for a drink, run to the bathroom, etc. I usually only work with one other person or alone, there's still noises going on of course, but I'd assume a bit less! They tell you to connect with customers but they don't really keep track of it per say 🤷♀️ and when you work alone, they can't really blame you for focusing on finishing up drinks instead of being chatty Kathy ☺️ the smaller area can sometimes feel a little cramped but at the same time, it's a smaller space to manage so it feels like you're more in control of it if that makes sense. I enjoy organizing and deep cleaning the areas others neglect when I get the chance. And another important aspect: no headset or drive through times to adhere to!
Also, I feel people may be easier to talk to in Target or some location like that because they aren't there to just pick up their coffee and run, they're about to go walk around and chill, so they're in a more like leaisurely talkative mindset if that makes sense??
Also, I feel people may be easier to talk to in Target or some location like that because they aren't there to just pick up their coffee and run, they're about to go walk around and chill, so they're in a more like leaisurely talkative mindset if that makes sense??
cynicosm [OP] 1 points 1y ago
that makes a lot of sense, thank you! do you get benefits working at a licensed store, like insurance etc?
Poptart0911 1 points 1y ago
Idk about all the different locations, but Target does have benefits! I don't really know all the details cause I'm still on my dad's insurance plan for now (gonna be too old for it soon though 😭)
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