It’s not your job to be available all the time. I personally offer to stay late on days that I can or come in early if I know I’ll be free. Otherwise, I won’t pick up hours when I’m asked. It’s just about setting firm boundaries with your coworkers, leaders, and managers.

They shouldn’t be guilt tripping at all, all I say when I call people to come in is “Hey I was wondering if you can come in at _____ time to work today” and if they say no I say thank you have a great day and if they say yes I say awesome see ya then. It shouldn’t go beyond that.

It helped me when I explained less. You don't have to justify yourself to anyone. If you're coming in for your scheduled hours, then that's all that should be expected of you. Explain the bare minimum, don't be afraid to drop a "the reason is a personal matter I'd rather not talk about," which is true and keeps distance between your feelings and others' expectations.

Your homework is more important than a shift. If you are a student, school is your main job. Don’t let your schooling suffer because someone else had poor planning (like your SM for not having enough employees and the person asking for coverage because “they have a really big project to finish”).

I honestly don't respond if I can't go in. I don't give a reason I just don't respond. No one has ever been upset about it.

I'm sorry, what is this phrase " Guilt Trip"?

Poor Planning on your part, does not constitute an emergency on my part.

I help when I can but when its outside of availability or Im actually busy, I remind myself I'm disposable to them so I don't feel guilty. They would cut me in an instant.

What sucks is this kind of thing really doesn’t go away, after working different stores and with different partners I can see how there’s always a bit of guilt tripping and you can learn to just accept that it’s not your responsibility, you totally are valid in always saying no haha

SM here, I try people if the shift is within or even out of their availability. If they answer me saying “so sorry I can’t today” I reply “no worries thanks for responding!” For me there’s that ‘maybe’ in the back of my mind or I’m waiting on a text back. If you reply immediately with no then I know I can keep trying other people. I always say thanks for responding because really sitting there wondering is the worst part.

Let me know when you find out because I cover shifts ALL THE TIME and can’t bring myself to say no because of guilt😫

i just don’t read the message in the first place but also if you have homework just turn your phone off and pretend to not be able to use it then respond later 🥱

Remind yourself that the lack of planning on their part does not constitute an emergency on your part. “She has a really big project she needs to finish.” She should’ve requested the day off then. I’m sorry, I’ve covered for coworkers that needed to finish homework bc they procrastinated. Thankfully for them I had time. I’ve been the partner who procrastinated. There have been times where no partners were available to cover me, and it’s stressful but you just suck it up and face the consequences of your actions.

If you’re scheduled, it’s their time. If you get called in, it’s on your time. And for $15 an hour? LOL no my schoolwork matters more.

If you dont want to just say no. You don’t have to give them a reason. And if your manager retaliates take it straight to the DM. That’s a federal crime.

if it’s that dire then your SM should go in to work 🤷🏽

also they could borrow a partner wtf

I said yes so many damn times once I ended up working 10 days in a row and by the last day I felt like I was going to fall over. After that I only said yes for emergencies or close friends, otherwise id say offer me a swap.

I feel guilty about not picking up a desperately needed shift today and I’m 6 days postpartum on maternity leave 😒

Respect yourself and your boundaries and say no. No one else but you will advocate for you ❤️

They should not be trying to guilt trip you like that. When my manager asks she just asks if I can and if I say i cant she just thanks me for getting back to her and that's how it should be. You do not get paid enough to be on call for them 24/7. Easier said then done but don't worry about it at all.

Learn to internalize this saying:

"An emergency on your part does not equal an emergency on my part."

Yeah they are down a closer because someone who was supposed to work called out at the last minute. Unless it is in your job description to cover call outs at all times it's not your problem.

They can try to guilt trip you but they cannot fire you because you arent available to work a shift you are not scheduled for. In fact guilt tripping is a sign of toxic behavior - they should be directing the guilt-trip towards the person who called out because they have a "big project"


You feel guilty because you are responsible and conscientious about making sure you get your shifts covered and or get to your shifts on time.

The person calli g out because of a "big project" knew about the b project well in advance and could have arranged to not work the night before it was due or have completed their work in advance so they could make their shift.

Feeling guilty isn’t going to help anyone - especially you! If you want to help out and cover the shift then do it. Extra hours are always great. BUT absolutely your homework AND your mental health are important as well. If you’re doing your very best at your job when scheduled, no one can fault you. You are young and have a lot of life learning ahead of you. Be respectful but stand your ground when needed cuz no one else will stand up for you. You’ll be fine!

The other partner’s time matters, but so does yours. Too many companies under capitalism schedule the fewest possible people to work, or LESS, to create an artificial scarcity of labour for various reasons. That is not your fault.

I only cover shifts if…

1) It’s a real emergency. Like family members dying or anything such as illnesses.

2) I’m not schedules much and want more hours.

That’s pretty much it. If my body ain’t feeling it, I won’t do it. I put myself first. My coworkers were the ones that told me to put myself first and it’s okay to say no. They will be upset but definitely not a reason to hate you. My manager always tells me I’m allowed to say no. You quickly realize some of the people you would help would never take your shift to help you. Everyone is for themselves. Don’t feel awful about it. I started saying no after saying yes all the time. They stopped calling me out of my availability. Boundaries are 100% necessary for Starbucks.

Easy. To say no. I really can’t. I have a lot of assignments to do. Or just don’t pick up tbh/answer their text

Don’t feel about saying no to covering a shift or staying longer. You don’t ever have to explain why. If you can’t, you can’t. Just say no and carry on.