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Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind

Full History - 2022 - 11 - 06 - ID#yo3kmw
36
Possible Termination because of Disability (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by brensteven2005
Welp. After 8 years of the siren it looks like I might be getting the axe soon. I have epilepsy and currently I've been having some trouble with it. My team and manager are amazing about it honestly. But corporate wasn't exactly sure what to do with me. So they sent me home in the middle of a shift one day on leave pending paperwork from my doctor. I'm reading over these letters and paperwork they sent me and it's looking like they are trying to say I can't come back at all. That I can't preform the essential functions of my job and such. Which isn't true and I have never had an issue doing my job. I've never even been written up in my time with the bux. So now I'm sitting here waiting for corporate to make a decision on if I can return to work or if they are going to fire me because they think I can't do my job duties. I'm really upset about it. Starbucks is my life. I don't know what I would do if I got let go. I didn't even do anything wrong. I'm just very very stressed and sad.
plastixhearts 19 points 8m ago
$1 explains how it is illegal to fire someone based on a disability. Can your doctor counter the claim that you’re unfit to work? Can your doctor say that OP is fit to work given certain scenarios/accomodation (like perhaps can perform functions while on medication with an extra break)?

I’m sorry this is happening to you
brensteven2005 [OP] 22 points 8m ago
My doctor got what was happening and filled it out in a way that says "I believe my patient can do all functions of their job" and threw in some very reasonable accommodations. All I can do now is hope for the best. I just don't know what else to do at this point? If I lose my job, I'm going to see an attorney I think.
plastixhearts 8 points 8m ago
If you’re able, get a free consultation now. Better to be prepared and they might even give you some good advice. Some areas have legal assistance programs for the whole case. I am low income and my area has a legal assistance program that is taking my landlord to court for free. There may be a resource like that near you
brensteven2005 [OP] 10 points 8m ago
I will look into that thank you
badatlife15 6 points 8m ago
To piggy back off that, look into epilepsy organizations they may have help as well.
Chance_One_75 2 points 8m ago
Honestly OP, I would seriously consult an attorney about this ASAP.
HarleySpicedLatte 8 points 8m ago
Yes, please keep us posted. Remember we have a disabilities network too
HarleySpicedLatte 9 points 8m ago
What duties are they saying you can not preform? This doesn't seem right. I know it's personal totally acceptable if you're not comfortable sharing
brensteven2005 [OP] 10 points 8m ago
It's okay I don't mind. They say I work around hot beverages and brew machines. So I'm not able to work around those safely. Which isn't true. I always step away when I am going to have a seizure and it's never on the floor which they are well aware of and I know they know because they stated it in their letter to my doctor.
HarleySpicedLatte 5 points 8m ago
Starbucks is saying the hot beverages and brew machines are unsafe, right?
Have you or can you reach out to the disability network?
Stay on top of this and remember you can appeal. Keep us posted too.
brensteven2005 [OP] 8 points 8m ago
No I haven't. I didn't know we had a disability network.
kristis3233 3 points 8m ago
This is bull shit!! I to have epilepsy and sadly have had seizures at work, I’m still here working! I’m so angry for you right now! Get a lawyer please
willardrider 3 points 8m ago
Honest question with no intent to offend. Is there a significant chance you’d have an episode at work while handling hot items that might pose a safety hazard? Just trying to understand what rationale they might be approaching this from. Not that educated on epilepsy.
brensteven2005 [OP] 4 points 8m ago
Not for me. I've never had an episode on the floor. I have advanced warning and always walk away and go to the back. Customers don't even see me and I'm no where near danger. Corporate knows I do this as well because they made a point to state that I do this in their letter to my doctor.
willardrider 7 points 8m ago
Ok, then, sounds inappropriate for them to have an issue with it. Thanks.
badatlife15 3 points 8m ago
I’m so sorry this is happening to you and I’m glad there has never been an incident on the floor. Do you have any insight on why they now are all of a sudden saying something? Like if you’ve been there for that long and no incidents, is there a new SM/DM someone that is being excessively and it sounds like unnecessarily cautious?
brensteven2005 [OP] 5 points 8m ago
Well my sm tried to get accommodations for me with getting some extra labor wheniwork in cas3 I have to leave early and that triggered corporate.
badatlife15 2 points 8m ago
Oh no! That’s awful, it sucks because it sounds like your SM is supportive, but it’s also good for them to have additional help if you need to go home. I was an aide for a epileptic student many years ago and I know how wiped out she would be after having a seizure. I know others have left great advice, so I won’t repeat it, but I really hope everything works out for you!
Zealousideal_Ad_8666 2 points 8m ago
I had a partner who had epilepsy and they were a tenured partner. They would excuse themselves when the felt one coming on, we would call their partner to pick them up and we would set them up BOH comfortably and one person would sit with them until their episode was over.

This is so beyond illegal. Please please make sure your SM + DM are advocating for you
brensteven2005 [OP] 3 points 8m ago
I know my SM is really upset about the situation. I've got some resources from my local epilepsy foundation as well if this goes south so hopefully it doesn't but I just have a bad feeling. I'm so glad you do this for your partner and honestly that's what usually happens for me but ever since corporate got involved it's been a shit show. I'll keep everyone posted. I hopefully will have a decision this week.
[deleted] 1 points 8m ago
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