Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
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Can I get fired for having a bad memory? (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by Rumonster279
Hi I’ve been working at my store for about 3 1/2 months and I’ve been told multiple times that I need to remember things better. For example, I’ll forget the customers pastries a lot of the time whether that’s forgetting to give it to them all together or just forgetting what food they wanted.
This memory thing isn’t just a work thing either, I forget shit Ik doing at home and in casually settings as well (I think this might be due to ADHD but I need to get diagnosed).
I’m just wondering if me constantly forgetting things is a good reason to fire me because I really don’t want to get fired but I also really can’t do much about my bad memory, I’ve been like this all my life.
Help?
Edit: just so you guys know, my store doesn’t print off the orders we have to write it down on a cup as the customer says their order so it’s makes it even harder to focus on remembering what to write on the cup and also remembering pastries or anything else.
I work at a uk store if that helps :) thank you for your great answers so far
This memory thing isn’t just a work thing either, I forget shit Ik doing at home and in casually settings as well (I think this might be due to ADHD but I need to get diagnosed).
I’m just wondering if me constantly forgetting things is a good reason to fire me because I really don’t want to get fired but I also really can’t do much about my bad memory, I’ve been like this all my life.
Help?
Edit: just so you guys know, my store doesn’t print off the orders we have to write it down on a cup as the customer says their order so it’s makes it even harder to focus on remembering what to write on the cup and also remembering pastries or anything else.
I work at a uk store if that helps :) thank you for your great answers so far
taebunz 19 points 11m ago
Depends on your SM and if any SSV complained to your SM about it. Since you are still considered "new" they probably aren't going to do anything about it.
But, yes, you can be fired for being too forgetful, ESPECIALLY if your forgetfulness is greatly affecting the productivity (too many customer complaints, refunds, and recovery cards)
But, yes, you can be fired for being too forgetful, ESPECIALLY if your forgetfulness is greatly affecting the productivity (too many customer complaints, refunds, and recovery cards)
Rumonster279 [OP] 0 points 11m ago
Damn ok I don’t think anyone complained my managers just come up to me about it on their own behalf
And I really don’t know what to do about the memory thing cause I’m really trying to remember everything. It’s not like it’s every order, I’d say if I servers 5 people I will most likely forget at least one price of food from at least one order.
And I really don’t know what to do about the memory thing cause I’m really trying to remember everything. It’s not like it’s every order, I’d say if I servers 5 people I will most likely forget at least one price of food from at least one order.
Material_Recover7900 10 points 11m ago
Comments didn’t pass the vibe check. Dramatic.
You’re ADHD is a disability that Starbucks has to accommodate legally, but you need to get that diagnosis to get that accommodation. Make sure you’re taking advantage of Lyra and get a behavioral therapist that focuses in ADHD, they can help you.
Also, open enrollment for health insurance is happening now, so get on it. I know adhd is hard to get diagnosed with, but there is an anti-depressant called wellbutrin that double teams as an adhd medicine that you don’t need an adhd diagnosis for.
You got this
You’re ADHD is a disability that Starbucks has to accommodate legally, but you need to get that diagnosis to get that accommodation. Make sure you’re taking advantage of Lyra and get a behavioral therapist that focuses in ADHD, they can help you.
Also, open enrollment for health insurance is happening now, so get on it. I know adhd is hard to get diagnosed with, but there is an anti-depressant called wellbutrin that double teams as an adhd medicine that you don’t need an adhd diagnosis for.
You got this
dazedandconfusedhere 7 points 11m ago
While this is true, your job is only protected due to ADHD with both a diagnosis and documentation with Starbucks/accommodations - and it has to be done BEFORE you potentially get in trouble for something related to it
For OP: an example of some accommodations that could be granted is if your store doesn’t print stickers for unwarmed pastries, then you could be accommodated when you are on POS to have the stickers print to help make sure you don’t forget
If it’s forgetting things on CS when you’re given a lot to do, an accommodation could be written lists or a task whiteboard for requests/needs instead of having them verbally given
But you will need medical documentation to get these accommodations. If it’s happening frequently, I would get with your manager and say you know this has been an issue and you’re in the process of working with a doctor to get some accommodations, and see what can be done in the meantime.
Edit: I misread your initial comment - I agree with you lol but here’s some added info
For OP: an example of some accommodations that could be granted is if your store doesn’t print stickers for unwarmed pastries, then you could be accommodated when you are on POS to have the stickers print to help make sure you don’t forget
If it’s forgetting things on CS when you’re given a lot to do, an accommodation could be written lists or a task whiteboard for requests/needs instead of having them verbally given
But you will need medical documentation to get these accommodations. If it’s happening frequently, I would get with your manager and say you know this has been an issue and you’re in the process of working with a doctor to get some accommodations, and see what can be done in the meantime.
Edit: I misread your initial comment - I agree with you lol but here’s some added info
Rumonster279 [OP] 1 points 11m ago
Damn ye apparently the waiting list for a diagnosis is like 2 years but I’ll need to get my gp to refer me first so that I can even get on the waiting list to get any official paper work. Thank you so much for your answer!!
Rumonster279 [OP] 0 points 11m ago
Ah ok does this work in the uk cause Ik not with an American store also never knew this thank you so much!!
CheesiestSlice 7 points 11m ago
If your poor memory causes poor performance, the poor performance can get you fired.
Rumonster279 [OP] 1 points 11m ago
I know that but I’m trying my hardest and want to improve I just don’t know how as this new key issue has been a long term thing in my life.
CheesiestSlice 2 points 11m ago
I'm sure this is frustrating for you, and I'm sorry!
I don't know know if this could help, but maybe when you're taking an order try to get in the habit of always printing the receipt when it asks if the customer wants a copy, then hold onto that receipt so you have exactly what they want in hand. Or maybe scribble down little notes on a post it note for reminders.
When I first started in the industry I was forgetting stuff left and right. When I got more comfortable with the job, I was less stressed about messing up, naturally allowing me to focus on the task at hand. In the meantime, maybe the things I talked about can help you out!
Best of luck, for real.
I don't know know if this could help, but maybe when you're taking an order try to get in the habit of always printing the receipt when it asks if the customer wants a copy, then hold onto that receipt so you have exactly what they want in hand. Or maybe scribble down little notes on a post it note for reminders.
When I first started in the industry I was forgetting stuff left and right. When I got more comfortable with the job, I was less stressed about messing up, naturally allowing me to focus on the task at hand. In the meantime, maybe the things I talked about can help you out!
Best of luck, for real.
Rumonster279 [OP] 2 points 11m ago
Only store managers can print receipts in my store so I can’t do that but thank you for the advise…
I’m starting to think that it’s not just my bad memory that makes it hard for me but how my store operates in general. As far as I’ve seen were the only store to hand write our cups and not print receipts so they’re easy to read tho I’ve seen this happen and so many other stores in different cities (uk) well I mean I’ll be leaving soon so hopefully (if I can get a new store cause I work for a franchise) my new store will have these things cause they’d honestly really help
I’m starting to think that it’s not just my bad memory that makes it hard for me but how my store operates in general. As far as I’ve seen were the only store to hand write our cups and not print receipts so they’re easy to read tho I’ve seen this happen and so many other stores in different cities (uk) well I mean I’ll be leaving soon so hopefully (if I can get a new store cause I work for a franchise) my new store will have these things cause they’d honestly really help
CheesiestSlice 3 points 11m ago
Ahhh, I see now, I hadn't read your other comments.
If you can get to a corporate store instead of a franchise, I think a lot of your issues might be taken care of by the standard Starbucks systems already in place.
If you can get to a corporate store instead of a franchise, I think a lot of your issues might be taken care of by the standard Starbucks systems already in place.
crystyleea 5 points 11m ago
not sure how it is in the UK, but I imagine you'll have a similar law protecting you from getting fired. talk to your manager and ask for accommodations. i would especially consider getting some kind of formal diagnosis to aid in this. here in the US, it is illegal to be fired for mental/physical health conditions. i would advise you to read up on your laws and rights to make sure you're protected.
Rumonster279 [OP] 1 points 11m ago
Ok I’ll think up a message to send today :) thanks
accountedthrowaway5 5 points 11m ago
nah you won’t get fired, but maybe you’d want to talk to your manager and let them know so that you can have accommodations or something so that you’ll be less prone to forgetting peoples drinks and whatnot? im not sure but i think talking to them would be a first step
Rumonster279 [OP] 1 points 11m ago
I think I’ve mentioned my bad memory before but I don’t really want to mention it again since they said it’s not an excuse
I’m really trying my hardest to remember the orders but it just skips my mind sometimes like most other things in my life.
I’m really trying my hardest to remember the orders but it just skips my mind sometimes like most other things in my life.
icelessTrash 1 points 11m ago
Maybe practice checking in at the hand off, (bonus points for likely better customer connection score too) like "were you waiting on anything else?" And then check on it for them
Rumonster279 [OP] 1 points 11m ago
I try to do that but no one can hear me. Tbf no one can hear anyone most of the time in my store. Customers complain about the music being too loud a lot and my headset makes it harder to hear the customers being too loud as well.
3aTroop 2 points 11m ago
I would have been fired ages ago, and I’m a SSV
fuwaldah 1 points 11m ago
Yes.
andersonm499 1 points 11m ago
Grab pastry bag and put them by the register so you can write them down as they order so you do not forget or print the receipt out
Rumonster279 [OP] 0 points 11m ago
I’ve thought of doing something like this but the pastry bags are behind me so I’d have to turn away from the customers
Spiritual_Resource36 -3 points 11m ago
I’m not sure if you’d get fired but in any job you work, you need to have accountability. If you continue forgetting, like in the pastries example, you would get coached and then written up with each progressive incident. If the SM deems that you have too many write ups, then yes, you could get fired. I’d get having memory issues when it comes to drink recipes but c’mon, food is literally printed in a sticker. Just count the stickers you have.
dazedandconfusedhere 2 points 11m ago
Some stores don’t print unwarmed pastries and hot coffees, it’s the responsibility of the front register partner to get them
Rumonster279 [OP] 1 points 11m ago
We don’t print anything we have to hand write drinks and just remember the drinks
dazedandconfusedhere 2 points 11m ago
I just saw you’re at a UK store - definitely have a conversation with your manager because the accommodation process and protections in place are likely different !
Rumonster279 [OP] 1 points 11m ago
Ah ok thank you
[deleted] -1 points 11m ago
[deleted]
Rumonster279 [OP] 0 points 11m ago
This is the only thing I struggle with. I’m fast on bar and have been complimented on it before I’m just never on bar atm I think this might be so I can get more comfortable on till and drive trough but idk for sure
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