Damn. My only other suggestion would be to change your approach.

Example - “hey I need to send you on your ten now so x and x can go after” stuff like this is how I usually go about it. I’m flexible but also communicate the reasons why I need them to do something at the time I’m asking. That could be something to help at least get you by until you can escape.

I agree that you can't forfeit someone's break, and that it's also unreasonable to force partners to take them an hour into their shifts. However, realize that the DCR schedules breaks kind of all over the place, and I've yet to work in a store or meet a shift who actually follows that break schedule. (sometimes it will say to send 3 partners on their halves at the same time for example without the coverage to do so)

Another thing is that some stores are super strict about breaks during peak. In my district the DMs and SMs don't allow it, and force us to run plays without breaks for peak (usually about 2 hours in the morning) So the shifts are forced to give openers their tens before peak starts (which might only be an hr and a half, or 2 hrs into the shift) because we aren't allowed to send them during the 'break blackout' period. The other partners have to wait until after peak to go. I don't like it and think we should have coverage to continue breaks during that time, but sadly we don't. I know I've been 'coached' by SMs and DMs if they have 'caught' me sending partners on tens during peak in the past :(

Starbucks will also schedule every single barista in the store to take a 30 at the same time because it's based on the times that baristas are scheduled. Sometimes following that scheduling is just not possible. There's also the fact that some baristas (disclaimer: not ALL, but SOME) are just spoiled brats and decide they don't want to go on break when the schedule even tells them they should go. Sometimes I've told baristas to figure it out amongst themselves but a lot of times they want to go at their convenience and not considering anyone else but themselves and if that's the case then they need to be told "No, you go at this time, or switch with another barista. If you don't like it then oh darn but those are the options."

be fr…some breaks may be scheduled at the same time or overlap a bit but “every single barista in the store” isn’t scheduled to break at the exact same time and if they were, it’s def not a regular occurrence. i’m also not saying there should NEVER be adjustments to break times but too many shifts consistently rely on making partners take their breaks during the first hour or even last half hour of their shifts. partners work hard and deserve to have their breaks at a reasonable time during their shift - as an ssv, your baseline goal should be striving to make that happen even though it may not always be possible 100% of the time.

Warming and bar support are definitely planted and busy positions at my store. It wouldn’t be possible to run the floor effectively there. DTO or CS are super flexible and you can see what’s going on in all positions. Good place for a shift

Really store dependent. At the dt store I worked shift I always put myself on front reg. There was almost no in store traffic. I had a bar immediate to my right and warming right behind so I could be at either in a moment. At this store it’s cs or maybe warming.

CS is discouraged by our SM because of the amount of time spent off the floor

i agree this guy sounds like a terrible ssv. one time i had a lead tell me to go on my 10 only 30 min into my shift and i told him no. there’s a lot of shifts on weird power trips that think anyone questioning their “authority” is insubordination when they’re actually being unreasonable

Dont get me wrong if I need to I do, I think the reddit discussion thread may not paint an actual picture for my work habit. That said yeah there are times I dont take 10s, it is what it is. Also as per every shift I have talked to, they are required to offer a 10 but I can also refuse. Lunches are mandatory.