Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
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SM wants me to step down. (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by QuartKnee08
So I’m a closing SSV of about 6 months and yesterday during our one on one shift meetings my SM talked to me about stepping down from shift and going back to being a barista. I was really surprised by this since I have only had minor complaints. This was my first time hearing such negative feedback as a shift. I’m usually 15-30 minutes early and haven’t called out once since my SM started at our store. I pick up extra hours pretty often and most of my shifts are run pretty smoothly. I don’t struggle with running breaks and I’ve heard a lot of positive feedback from my fellow shifts. My SM simply said that I should be doing better than I am with how long I’ve been a shift but wouldn’t give any specifics or examples of what I was doing wrong. On top of that the other closing shifts have pointed out to me that my shifts are more understaffed than theirs and that they usually have 2 shifts closing together while my shifts are always by myself. Even some of the baristas have told me that our SM schedules less coverage when I’m the shift compared to the others. (Today I am the only shift from 2:30-10:30 on a Saturday) I feel very disheartened by our conversation yesterday and can’t help but feel like this is personal. Any advice?
esaeklsg 165 points 1y ago
I mean, sounds personal, yeah. Not being able to tell you what areas you need to improve in is pretty sketch. Best tactic I can think of is get aggressively gung-ho about improvement so they have to either come up with something or tell you you’re doing fine. If PDPs are still a thing, ask to write out one of those with your SM. If they think they can’t help grow their team and make you into the best shift you can be, ask if there’s another store that would be willing to help develop an SS (if you’re willing to transfer and want out of a possibly bad enviroment.)
awesomechief989 59 points 1y ago
On top of that it sounds like a choice. If they’re asking you to step down it’s sound like for some reason they have a problem. If anything they should fire you (sounds like they have no reason to) but they want to hide something. Very fishy for them to treat you like that
hbeex93 41 points 1y ago
Something's super not right, will agree. Also agree with top comment. Wondering if you can get a meeting with your dm and sm and ask them what you can do to improve (this could make your dm aware of this situation if they aren't). If the sm is willing to give you ways that you may be coming up short, make 150% effort in doing those things and showing that you're making the effort is going to be the key.
(In times like this, I find talking to someone of the legal variety for advice is also a very helpful tool.)
(In times like this, I find talking to someone of the legal variety for advice is also a very helpful tool.)
kbattaglia101 4 points 1y ago
I would also contact partner resources. And ask them if this is something for an investigation to be opened.
LittlePopsicle 7 points 1y ago
Came here to say the same thing. 1. Ask to use the tools sbux has for development - the PDP. and 2. If your SM isn't listening, take that as an opportunity to loop in your DM. DM's want to hear about how the partner experience is going, especially lately, and if your SM is failing to provide a positive partner experience for you, even in terms of constructive feedback, then your DM wants to know.
MrsClaireUnderwood 5 points 1y ago
Hey this is great advice.
cpv_91 70 points 1y ago
I would definitely loop in your DM. And if you're at all comfortable with them and you have copies of your store schedules, I would have them available for the sit down. Be able to discuss your supposed 'failure' to grow in the context of how you are not getting any support from your SM.
From what you describe there is definitely something fishy and I personally would not voluntarily self-demote. If your SM had legitimate grounds for demotion, they would not be requesting you self-demote.
From what you describe there is definitely something fishy and I personally would not voluntarily self-demote. If your SM had legitimate grounds for demotion, they would not be requesting you self-demote.
Accomplished-Bad3856 69 points 1y ago
Keep your eye on the bottom line. What’s the pay difference? If you’re being asked to step down rather than being told to step down the answer is “No. I know I can be successful in this position with guidance and support.”
Enkeria92 39 points 1y ago
It sounds personal. My SM (who somehow still has a job) treated me way different knowing I am disabled and kept jumping down my throat about my “performance” despite always setting me up to fail. She then made up lies that caused a final written warning and I eventually quit and became a store manager for Dunkin’ Donuts. She’s still an ableist b***h to this day.
My advice, talk to your DM about this and even ethics. Something is very sketchy.
My advice, talk to your DM about this and even ethics. Something is very sketchy.
Only-Dog7316 11 points 1y ago
My SM is the same way. :( My life is miserable rn.
Enkeria92 5 points 1y ago
I’m so sorry. Try and transfer out of there if you can.
Necessary_Low939 26 points 1y ago
Is that sm of urs trying to promote someone else
WonTonSwan 20 points 1y ago
Careful! I've been in this position before. They're going to keep pressuring you until you either quit or they find a way to fire you. OP your best option is to walk an eggshells rn and transfer out or worst case quit so they can't fire you. Depending on what they fire you for , you could be blacklisted and put on the unhirble list.
morningchampagne 17 points 1y ago
As an SM I wouldn’t ask someone to step down unless it’s to save their job. I’ll let them go after they have failed to improve specific skills required for their job, but those would be documented so you would know what they are; most likely missing a count, failing to coach, not using plays. That sort of thing. I might encourage a transfer if I had other people I wanted to promote and no space but again not asking to step down unless a last resort. I don’t even think we’re allowed to ask that. The staffing thing might be due to hours being allotted based on business slow days get less hours and therefore less closers. I would compare DCRs for the different days. DCRs would say customer counts and that determines hours. It’s the numbers along the bottom. I think looping in your DM might be a good thing but your SM should be linking them into any ongoing performance issues. Talk to your SM directly and ask for specifics. They should have some real examples of why this would be best and I can’t really think of any…
gingergal-n-dog 5 points 1y ago
Great advice. To add on: for any conversations that aren't documented with paper work, follow up with your manager using text/ email (their work account) before end of day to confirm what you believe you discussed.
durqandat 2 points 1y ago
Honestly if you are a closing SSV make sure you get the High Variance Counts specifically. Not sure how well you do with those but they are a big issue in my district—don’t give them any ammunition 🙂
[deleted] 1 points 1y ago
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PerspectiveCapable98 9 points 1y ago
Go to your dm if ur Sm won’t answer to they’ll have to answer to ur dm and any accusations that you feel don’t match dispute
b99__throwaway 6 points 1y ago
don’t step down. do your best (which it sounds like you already are) and be very persistent with how much you remind your manager you need more labor hours on your day part. keep a notebook of who was working, anything that happened on your shift, who did which tasks, the time things were completed at, etc. reference your notes if your manager says anything specific so you can back up the calls you make (calling someone in, staying later than scheduled, not completing something, etc). ask for specific ways to improve again, and be honest that if you don’t get them you will keep doing your best because there is no way to measure what improvement looks like if you aren’t given steps to improve. maybe loop in your DM, the other shifts, or think about transferring stores. communicate as much as you can with your shift team about how your shifts are and see if they would be willing to support you/back you up in your talks with SM
Daliaveyani 6 points 1y ago
No advice from me, but I'm in exactly the same boat as you, I have two shifts who continuously complainers to our sm about me because they just don't like me, and now my sm has officially taken their side and has asked me to step down after giving me a final warning todag about things that they've said I did that I have baristas who have specifically said the opposite. Shifts that are absolutely fucked by our sm and shift team solidarity I guess, hope your day is going better than mine. 💖💖
Electrical_Metal_106 3 points 1y ago
You shouldn’t be able to be written up on here say. Try to call your DM.
Daliaveyani 3 points 1y ago
I've been on my dms shit list since she fired my best friend, I live in at at-will state so technically you don't need a reason to fire someone. The only reason she hasn't fired me on something stupid is because I'm trans and before I got hired she was being investigated for saying some really transphobic shit to other partners so she told her store managers to hire trans people, so there's like four of us now in the district that we're hired and promoted to make her look like less of a bigot, I didn't find this out till after I'd been shift for a while it's a super shitty feeling tbfh.
Electrical_Metal_106 3 points 1y ago
I’m so sorry you have to deal with this. The world can be really messed up-especially when the people who are supposed to protect us are the ones doing the most harm.
moodycatdog81 4 points 1y ago
Seems personal to me. As an sm I can't imagine this happening unless there are multiple opportunities that have been coached with no improvements. Even so not being set up for success how could I expect the same results. I would ask for specifics before even agreeing to this and if they have none take to partner resources. I'm so sorry u are going thru this
MasterMischievous 3 points 1y ago
I would bring your concern to the dsm. It sounds like your sm doesn’t like you. With no specifics to what you should be improving on, and from my understanding of the situation; never gave you any coaching or opportunities to improve. And it seems like he’s specifically targeting you by understaffing your shifts. All I’m saying is that if I were a store manager trying to get rid of a shift; the first thing I would do, is try to make their shifts harder. And the best way to do that is to understaff them.
Asleep_Muscle_7990 3 points 1y ago
Don’t step down! I would try to ask your SM for specifics so you can try to say you’ll work on it. But if she doesn’t I was definitely contact your DM asap!! Like as soon as finish talking to your SM and your question is avoided. Also, I would also start looking to transfer into a different store. I’ve seen stores where some shifts and the SM would come together and try to get another fired just because they don’t like them /:
AdIll7946 2 points 1y ago
I would transfer if it’s an logistically an option for you. This SM sounds petty and getting into it with them may not be worth it for your day to day.
SnazzyVow 2 points 1y ago
Sounds like my old SM in cali - Elizabeth , you’re a bitch.
SnazzyVow 2 points 1y ago
Go straight to your DM and ask for a transfer.
Tell them you feel singled out with no explainable reasons as to why she feels the way she does and you feel it’s setting you up to be in a toxic work environment.
Tell them you feel singled out with no explainable reasons as to why she feels the way she does and you feel it’s setting you up to be in a toxic work environment.
Dr_mombie 4 points 1y ago
Also, setting you up to fail by understaffing your shifts and not giving you direct constructive feedback when asked where you need to improve.
lewabwee 2 points 1y ago
Other good advice in thread. Whatever happens you might wanna just transfer. You should definitely speak to your DM too or something because they’re going to fire you. Whatever happens you need to take action before you start getting written up for bullshit reasons.
rlogranite 1 points 1y ago
Speak to your DM and perhaps have a meeting with your sm and dm together so he or she can better coach you.
hollsberry 1 points 1y ago
You should have been put on a performance improvement plan before you were asked to step down. But since you have no write ups and you’re not on a pip you can transfer to a store with less conflict
makmelaf17 1 points 1y ago
I feel like their is alot missing. Your manager at least owes you a 1 on 1... demoting should not come up as the 1st option...
I feel like she need to at least tell you where she thinks you are struggling ( if you even are ) and if your shifts are not getting all y'all complete then more help is definitely needed...
I hate when managers short the closing shift, knowing it's going to be a really tough shift... then spend the next day explaining to you what you could have done better, instead of just saying I'm coming in to help with the close cause you are short staffed.....but they still expect a solid close.
I feel like she need to at least tell you where she thinks you are struggling ( if you even are ) and if your shifts are not getting all y'all complete then more help is definitely needed...
I hate when managers short the closing shift, knowing it's going to be a really tough shift... then spend the next day explaining to you what you could have done better, instead of just saying I'm coming in to help with the close cause you are short staffed.....but they still expect a solid close.
HappyBarista 1 points 1y ago
This ⬆️!! Especially that last point about closing shift being short staffed and then having the SM tell you or leave notes in the book saying what you didn’t do that you should have done. I see it a lot at my new store.
Electrical_Metal_106 1 points 1y ago
If it is a possibility for you, transfer. I don’t know if there are any other stores in your area. You should definitely have a conversation with your DM about it. It’s very suspicious that your SM gave you such a vague reason as to why you should step down. I’ve worked with some REALLY bad SSVs in the past and nothing was ever said to them.
itachisbigbootygf 1 points 1y ago
transfer. that’s your answer
h2otower 1 points 1y ago
Hang in there if you want to stay at sbux...our store has had so many different managers and the ones that cant handle it are weeded out fairly quickly.
I am glad I waited out those bad ones cuz we got one now that is the best. They started out as a barista so they know our "pain" or understand what we are going thru, they help with even the most menial tasks and remain calm during intense situations.
I am glad I waited out those bad ones cuz we got one now that is the best. They started out as a barista so they know our "pain" or understand what we are going thru, they help with even the most menial tasks and remain calm during intense situations.
Certain_Engine7027 1 points 1y ago
Sounds like a case.
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