Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
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SSV Left me ALONE in the store (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by jcduckduck
A few nights ago, it was a 4 person floor with full operations (cafe, mobiles, and drive) and a cafe full of people. To preface, my shift supervisor (SSV) is not necessarily the best at her job and has issues with time management, organization, and leadership. [For example, she frequently misses partners breaks or gives them 1-3 hours late but always takes hers on time, she will take several hours to do tips when she does them, she doesn’t help partners on the floor, she never starts her shift tasks on time therefore causing us to stay much later at close, usually 1.5-2 hours after the store has already closed].
Anyway, it was a pretty busy night and about 40 minutes UNTIL the store closed (8:20ish, store closes at 9p), the SSV decided she would send BOTH partners that needed meals on their 30s at the same time, simultaneously leaving to go get a new mop (That we’ve needed for at least a week so it wasn’t a pressing issue?????). This left me, a non-SSV barista, in the store ALONE on the floor to run all operations. The SSV and the partners left me with drinks that weren’t made, orders that weren’t taken, and a line of customers at the window that weren’t helped. It goes without saying that all of these orders were 2+ drinks and at least 1 food item.
I had to call an SSV from ANOTHER store to answer questions I had, because MY SSV was not there.
There were so many things that could have gone wrong, having me alone in the store. Robbery, medical emergency, disgruntled customer, etc.
She broke so many rules by just leaving.
When the SSV returned from her adventures, I was rightfully upset and the other SSV that came over to help me and myself both voiced our frustrations towards her.
My biggest issue is that she faced NO repercussions from this. Several partners that I spoke to about this, as well as a store manager, believe this could be grounds for termination, especially since she has been given so many chances and keeps making thoughtless mistakes like this.
What do I do?
Anyway, it was a pretty busy night and about 40 minutes UNTIL the store closed (8:20ish, store closes at 9p), the SSV decided she would send BOTH partners that needed meals on their 30s at the same time, simultaneously leaving to go get a new mop (That we’ve needed for at least a week so it wasn’t a pressing issue?????). This left me, a non-SSV barista, in the store ALONE on the floor to run all operations. The SSV and the partners left me with drinks that weren’t made, orders that weren’t taken, and a line of customers at the window that weren’t helped. It goes without saying that all of these orders were 2+ drinks and at least 1 food item.
I had to call an SSV from ANOTHER store to answer questions I had, because MY SSV was not there.
There were so many things that could have gone wrong, having me alone in the store. Robbery, medical emergency, disgruntled customer, etc.
She broke so many rules by just leaving.
When the SSV returned from her adventures, I was rightfully upset and the other SSV that came over to help me and myself both voiced our frustrations towards her.
My biggest issue is that she faced NO repercussions from this. Several partners that I spoke to about this, as well as a store manager, believe this could be grounds for termination, especially since she has been given so many chances and keeps making thoughtless mistakes like this.
What do I do?
[deleted] 14 points 1y ago
I was under the impression that SSV’s (and leaders in general) cannot leave the store unless another leader is present, like not even to run out to their car to get something. That’s how it was for all the retail stores I’ve worked at, including ones where I was a leader and the manager couldn’t leave the store unless another manager was present. I figured it works the same way at Starbucks. I would definitely bring it up with a SM or DM if necessary as that’s not safe at all. Your SSV could’ve easily asked one of the partners to go get the mop on their way back from lunch and write it in the book OR gotten it on the way back from the SSV’s lunch.
My SSV does this sometimes too but it’s not often enough that I feel like I need to mention it
My SSV does this sometimes too but it’s not often enough that I feel like I need to mention it
jcduckduck [OP] 2 points 1y ago
I’m sorry you get put in that position! This particular SSV is the only one that does it, and it does happen frequently, but this particular situation was the last straw for me I guess. There is a rule that there has to be a minimum of 2 partners on the floor at all times to keep the store open (1 SSV/1 barista) so this is blatant neglect or ignorance for the rules. My store manager seemed to laugh about it and left me with “this is a story to tell at the next meeting” which was NO help, and a store manager from the other store said it was absolutely unacceptable.
I feel like my only option would be to go to the DM at this point?
I feel like my only option would be to go to the DM at this point?
[deleted] 3 points 1y ago
Yeah I would definitely say go to the DM and if it gets brushed off again, ethics line. That is such a dangerous situation to leave you alone in a store to which you have no keys for and can’t fix anything if say, you push the wrong cash amount or something like that.
Gimmecoffee2020 6 points 1y ago
The official policy is a store can be without a shift for up to 30 minutes. That said, it is also policy that at least 2 partners have to be in the store at all times. So leaving you alone in the store was a violation, but she can leave to get something if there’s still 2 baristas working as long as it’s for less than 30 minutes.
Jaxammx 4 points 1y ago
I would bring this up to your DM immediately. The shift can not every leave the store if it is their floor, and a partner can never be left alone in the store. Definitely grounds for termination.
Mea-fae_Owl73 1 points 1y ago
I’m so sorry you went through that not ok in the slightest situation! When SMs having coaching/corrective action conversations we aren’t necessarily privy to the fact that it took place. On top of that the behavior may not change after said conversation. Talk with your SM to let them know that the behavior has not changed. If the SM has let you know this SSV did not get coached/corrective action then reach out to the DM. Sometimes SMs have info we don’t that forms their judgement on whether a warning, corrective action (final or regular) or out right separation is warranted. This is a safety issue and not to be taken lightly. If tge SM isn’t doing their job by holding SSV accountable then the DM needs to be involved. There is always the “anonymous” ethics and compliance line too.
persona-2 1 points 1y ago
So there has to be 2 partners physically in the store at a time. One can be on their lunch, but they have to remain in the building.
Shifts can leave during their shift for things like taking their lunch and leave the store with no SSV present. A shift can’t end their shift without another shift present though.
It sounds like a terrible situation, but it might not have broken any rules.
Shifts can leave during their shift for things like taking their lunch and leave the store with no SSV present. A shift can’t end their shift without another shift present though.
It sounds like a terrible situation, but it might not have broken any rules.
Responsible_Snow7109 1 points 1y ago
Sounds similar to a shift at my store but not quite exactly the same. I have a shift at my store who opens Monday through Friday. A while ago during a snow storm, she left before her shift was over which I forget what time that was but all I remember is that she left about an hour or hour and a half early before the other shift got to the store and it was only me and two other Baristas and she gave the store Key to the most tenured barista.
And whenever I open with her which is here and there only, while it's still dark outside, she will leave me in the store by myself and go out to the parking lot to meet up with her boyfriend because he stops by the store on his way to work. And other times he comes in the store and she stops everything she's doing and just goes and sits down at one of the tables with him. It's really irritating at this point. And when she's the lead shift, during rushes in the morning time, some of her regulars which are middle-aged to older guys will come in and she will leave 2 baristas trying to do hot bar, cold bar, register, warming and CS just so she can go sit down with whichever guy it is. One of them even brings her food literally every time he comes to see her when shes working.
Shes always on her phone texting or face timing her daughter or boyfriend during shifts...even when shes supporting me on bar. Theres just way more shit but i dont wana make this a huge comment lol
And whenever I open with her which is here and there only, while it's still dark outside, she will leave me in the store by myself and go out to the parking lot to meet up with her boyfriend because he stops by the store on his way to work. And other times he comes in the store and she stops everything she's doing and just goes and sits down at one of the tables with him. It's really irritating at this point. And when she's the lead shift, during rushes in the morning time, some of her regulars which are middle-aged to older guys will come in and she will leave 2 baristas trying to do hot bar, cold bar, register, warming and CS just so she can go sit down with whichever guy it is. One of them even brings her food literally every time he comes to see her when shes working.
Shes always on her phone texting or face timing her daughter or boyfriend during shifts...even when shes supporting me on bar. Theres just way more shit but i dont wana make this a huge comment lol
aee78 1 points 1y ago
Did the other barista's leave or were they in the back? I think if they are in the building it technically counts as they need to be two in the building, not necessary on the floor. My store(cafe) often only has one person out front when we first open or the last hour before close because someone is in the back tasking. You appear to be a drive thru so rules may differ.Someone with a key is supposed to be in the building at all time and no way is it okay they left while busy.
I absolutely would no be staying 1.5-2 hrs late. How has she not gotten flack for that? We get questioned when we go over more than 15/20 minutes. She can write a note.
I absolutely would no be staying 1.5-2 hrs late. How has she not gotten flack for that? We get questioned when we go over more than 15/20 minutes. She can write a note.
jcduckduck [OP] 3 points 1y ago
All partners left the store for their meals. One sat in their car and the other drove away for their break
aee78 2 points 1y ago
That's a big safety violation and a position you shouldn't have been put in. Because by staying you are technically the one breaking policy. While part of it is safety concerns, a big part of it is theft. Not only is it overwhelming to be alone, you're in a bad position if a drawer is short. I got this lecture when I first transferred, my opening barista didn't show, and when I tried to look up their number it directed me to my old store's info. So I went in and got her phone number and turned off mobiles. I was like I wasn't just sitting here for 2.5 +hrs with no way to be able to get a hold of someone and there's a camera that shows I was nowhere near the safe. That's something they can terminate for, not that they have to do so.
Have you spoken with you SM about it? Do they maybe not know? If they aren't doing anything, maybe speak to the DM and get the other store's SSV to back you.
Have you spoken with you SM about it? Do they maybe not know? If they aren't doing anything, maybe speak to the DM and get the other store's SSV to back you.
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