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Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind

r/starbucksbaristas

Full History - 2022 - 12 - 05 - ID#zd61jw

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Manager mad at me calling out sick last minute (self.starbucksbaristas)

submitted by dontcry2022

I only get up around 25 minutes before my shift because I shower at night and live close to my store, takes me all of 10 minutes to get ready

My throat feels like shit this morning and my head hurts, I was already battling a cold last week and did get my shift covered in advance, this week I called the store as soon as I could, I basically woke up and was like maybe I just need to get ready but a few minutes in I was like there's no way

Called the store 15 minutes before the shift, manager sounded mad, I'm actively looking for coverage now

Idk I get it but also I'm doing my best and I'm not going in and trying to talk all morning and make drinks

I am just thrown off guard, it's my understanding when you're sick you need to call in. I don't want a bad relationship with my manager and I do my best to be reliable and also to help out when I can with covering other people's shifts, I come in when others ask fairly often

Brilliant_List7381 50 points 7m ago

you can’t get into trouble for calling out. you can get into trouble for not calling 2 hours before your shift minimum.

Brilliant_List7381 17 points 7m ago

if you’re not a repeat offender you should be okay this time, but keep it in mind for the future

dontcry2022 [OP] 7 points 7m ago

Where can I find the policy?

And okay. Yeah this is my first time calling in sick so short notice. I unfortunately have slept through parts of my opening shifts in the past, which is a huge deal and I haven't had issues with that in months now, but otherwise my attendance is good. I was surprised my manager was so angry too, because last week I was sick and called out the night before, so I would've hoped to have already established that I am considerate and do my best with things

I just hope it doesn't blow up into a big thing. I have tried really hard to be reliable and helpful with covering other shifts too

Brilliant_List7381 7 points 7m ago

it shouldn’t blow up into a big thing if you’ve generally been pretty good about attendance! I would look at the attendance policy on partner hub if you can find it there. i unfortunately don’t work until tomorrow, but if you’re not able to find it i can look for uou then!

Ordinary-Theory-8289 4 points 7m ago

So what are you to do if you wake up sick? We open at 430 am. Nobody’s waking up at 230 only to realize they’re sick to call and say they were sick. There’s no one up to even inform at that time

Brilliant_List7381 1 points 7m ago

That would be up to your SM, friend. At our store as long as you call the store and attempt to contact the SM, you generally don’t get into trouble as long as it’s not a pattern. if you’re feeling icky the night before, try calling the night before. there’s definitely ways to work around it, but the way that SM’s work it out in their stores is up to them. The written policy still stands- it’s 2 hour notice.

Ordinary-Theory-8289 0 points 7m ago

There is no written policy about that. I don’t know why people keep making this claim

oooortcloud 37 points 7m ago

Starbucks Partner Guide, page 27 states “In the event of an unplanned absence, e.g., the sudden onset of illness, injury or
emergency, or when the partner is using paid sick leave allowable by law, the partner
will not be held responsible for finding a substitute. The partner is still responsible for
notifying the store manager or assistant store manager (or partner leading the shift if
the manager is not in the store) of the absence prior to the beginning of the shift so
coverage can be arranged if needed.”

A barista’s responsibility for coverage ends at notifying the store. Any need for coverage will be filled by an on-clock shift or salaried SM. Requesting otherwise is against Starbucks policy.

Aggravating-Mess3221 18 points 7m ago

There is a policy which says you have to call out 2-3 hours before work or something like that. Calling out 15 minutes before work gives absolutely no time to find any coverage. I don’t think you will get in trouble but everyone on that shift will probably view this situation as annoying because now they are down someone during peak

SirAhNo 9 points 7m ago

I don't think its best to frame this as something coworkers will be mad at the partner calling out for. Shit happens, and at the end of the day, staffing shouldn't be so bare-bones that one call-out ruins an entire shift.

Also, personally, I've never heard of that 2-3 hours policy. If you're sick, you're sick, no matter how much time before the shift.

Aggravating-Mess3221 0 points 7m ago

It’s not that they called out- it’s that they called out 15mins before their shift with no previous notice. If you are unfamiliar with the policy it can be found on partner hub and also in the partner hand book

SirAhNo 4 points 7m ago

I’m not unfamiliar with it. All I’m saying is that there’s times where you won’t know you’re unwell for your shift until right before you go in.

If Starbucks claims they’re in the “people business” like they love to claim on the partner hub and through their PR, I think everyone in the company should be understanding when something like that happens.

dontcry2022 [OP] 8 points 7m ago

Where can I find the policy?

I understand it is inconvenient but I don't know how morning workers are supposed to be able to give that much notice. I woke up sick, I can't work sick, if I need to make a note to myself to wake up 3 hours in advance of a shift just to check for any symptoms, I will but that seems very unreasonable and I've never heard anyone suggest doing that.

Also I am surprised my SM didn't clarify that policy with me on the phone

Additional_Shoe 13 points 7m ago

It is not your responsibility to find coverage if you’ve called out for an illness. You have informed them through the correct channels and that’s all you need to do. This policy is in the partner guide

dontcry2022 [OP] 4 points 7m ago

Yes but it's not like I know how to assert myself against a mad manager making me feel this big 👌 for calling last minute

I really don't know what I should've said to reiterate it isn't my responsibility but idk I know at my store it's peak and it's not difficult to send out some texts to help as much as I can

I just don't want to be in trouble if I don't get it covered

I_like_to_know 0 points 7m ago

You won't get in trouble, you're not required to find coverage if you call out sick. And if you're sick there's no way around it, you can't work. But understand, calling out is a huge inconvenience for your manager and everyone else working the shift. You're leaving them down a partner during peak, meaning it's really difficult for anyone to step off the floor to try and find coverage last minute. And this is the second time you've called out since last week? You're justified in calling out by maybe try feeling bad for the position you've unwittingly put your partners in instead of trying to assert yourself against your manager for being annoyed at the impact your call out is having on the store.

dontcry2022 [OP] 1 points 7m ago

>And this is the second time you've called out since last week?

Sorry it's cold and flu season? I have protected sick time and I'm not going in when my throat hurts. I actually did that once and exposed my whole team to Covid.

In case you didn't read elsewhere in the thread, I called out the night before last week. Because I am responsible and considerate. I don't know what you're not getting that I literally woke up sick. Sorry that me feeling like shit is enough to make the store burst into flames, I guess I should've just not been sick! Silly me making bad choices

dontcry2022 [OP] 1 points 7m ago

>instead of trying to assert yourself against your manager for being annoyed at the impact your call out is having on the store.

But I didn't try ? That was my point, they got mad at me, and I just took it

I did feel bad, and I expressed that on the phone. Being mad is fine, I empathize with that, but for anger to be the first and only emotion shown when someone calls and apologizes that they woke up a few minutes ago too sick to come in, it's not cool IMO

kittietoof 7 points 7m ago

yeah i totally get this, i understand why your manager would be mad but again, everyone is better being down one barista than risking so many more partners getting sick. i know the policy is two hours before your shift but there’s exceptions when it’s sudden especially since you’ve been having the cold already and still working i assume. you’re not in the wrong and the least your manager could do is hope you feel better instead of being mad. like i’ve had to do that because i got a crippling migraine like 30 minutes before my shift and my supervisor just wished me better and left it at that, because in that situation it’s not your responsibility to find coverage because you’re *sick*

testingaurora 5 points 7m ago

You can’t be in trouble for not finding coverage. It’s ridiculous how many managers make partners feel badly about calling in when that’s the responsible thing to do! They’ll forget about it soon enough, just take care of yourself and don’t stress. If you can find coverage, that’s helpful but it’s not necessary.

[deleted] 8 points 7m ago

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testingaurora 4 points 7m ago

Agree. It’s an abuse of power. There are so many posts like this, manager getting upset or mad at partner for calling out. It’s just the reality and it sucks

[deleted] 0 points 7m ago

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dontcry2022 [OP] 3 points 7m ago

Yes, I just want to know what I am supposed to say to NOT get this reaction? I haven't had any sort of attendance issues in a long time, I come in for other people or stay late if needed fairly often. When I am sick, I am sick, the 1 time I came in sick I literally exposed my team to Covid and so now, never again, if I have any cold/flu symptoms, I am not going in. It is gross, it makes me feel worse, and it isn't fair to anyone. I'd rather stay home, drink some juice/take some meds, sleep if needed, go to the doctor if anything worsens, and try again tomorrow. People in my store have been sick a lot lately and it sucks but like. Maybe making people too anxious to call out if they are feeling bad isn't the answer, maybe in fact it is only making the overall scheduling situation worse ? I don't know how to get a response of acceptance, it's like my SM expects me to just be like "oh, yeah, sorry, forget what I said about being sick, I'll be there soon" and like ??? That doesn't make sense, surely she knows that. So I don't know if I am just being a punching bag in those moments or what

[deleted] 3 points 7m ago

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dontcry2022 [OP] 3 points 7m ago

Hhhhh overall my work environment is pretty nice and I actually really like my SM but yes these moments I'm like what 😃

Responsible_Snow7109 2 points 7m ago

Yea whenever ur sick, u definitely cant go into work. Its not right and its not safe. But i kno a lot of managers or shift supervisors have been making partners feel guilt for calling out and getting angry with them 🙄 people get sick. They know this happens.

And i kno u asked what ur supposed to say to not get the reaction they gave u but u don't have to say more than what u said really. U did ur part by informing them ur sick and cant come in. Maybe u could be like "im very sorry for the late last minute call out and it wont happen again (or ill try my best to avoid this next time) but im not feeling well and i even texted around helping to look for coverage (cuz if u word it that way, then hopefully it will click in their head that its not ur job to look for coverage because u are sick and off the clock)"

Do u think ur manager is mad that u called out so close to ur shift time or are they just mad that u called out in general?

dontcry2022 [OP] 2 points 7m ago

Thank you 🥲

I think I need to call and tell them I didn't find coverage, because I haven't and I tried every partner and store I could, but I'm honestly stressed about the response I'll get

Texastexastexas1 2 points 7m ago

It is NOT your job to find a replacement.

AJ228842 4 points 7m ago

They don’t have a policy for time frames of calling out sick just as soon as you can, you don’t have to look for coverage either. You’re sick time protects you from getting in trouble when calling out.

Plenty-Initiative717 2 points 7m ago

make sure to get a doctors note to avoid a write up! you can be written up for this, but not with a note. they’re a company and at the end of the day, they don’t care. so keep yourself protected!

dontcry2022 [OP] 5 points 7m ago

Why would I get written up if there isn't an official policy about it?

I don't suspect at this point that it is strep, seems more like a cold (speaking as someone who has had strep many times). If I'm not seeking antibiotics I don't want to go sit in a waiting room during flu season when my immune system is already trying to keep up

Plenty-Initiative717 2 points 7m ago

for proof that you’re sick. if your manager is really worked up ab it they can write you up for calling in with such short notice and no docs note proving sickness. just looking out.

AJ228842 3 points 7m ago

Starbucks cannot require a doctors note and can’t accept them either.

kittykattt3 2 points 7m ago

Like others have said you need to call out more in advance. My old SM said 4hrs in advance and my current SM says 2hrs but I believe it’s actually 4hrs. Unless you’re an opener then 15 minutes way too last minute. It’s not your fault that your sick but I can for sure understand where the hostility is coming from

SirAhNo 1 points 7m ago

I don't think that policy is in writing anywhere, as far as I understand.

kittykattt3 1 points 7m ago

I thought it was in the new hire handbook but to be honest, I haven’t looked and this is what has been told me throughout three SMs

SirAhNo 5 points 7m ago

Yeah, the thing is I’ve been told that too, with different answers from different SMs. But if it’s not written down, then technically it isn’t policy. A lot of managers are hoping nobody ever calls them out on it, because a simple spoken policy can’t be enforced in most cases.

kittykattt3 3 points 7m ago

You’re 100% correct. I just went on the hub and looked into the partner guide as this question has come up multiple times at my own store. On page 27, it says, Responsibility for Finding a Substitute: Planned time off, such as for a vacation day, must be approved in advance by the manager. If a partner will be unable to report to work for a scheduled shift and knows in advance, it is the partner’s responsibility to notify the store manager or assistant store manager and for the partner to arrange for another partner to substitute.
In the event of an unplanned absence, e.g., the sudden onset of illness, injury or emergency, or when the partner is using paid sick leave allowable by law, the partner will not be held responsible for finding a substitute. The partner is still responsible for notifying the store manager or assistant store manager (or partner leading the shift if the manager is not in the store) of the absence prior to the beginning of the shift so coverage can be arranged if needed.
Failure to abide by this policy may result in corrective action, up to and including separation from employment. Some examples of failure to follow this policy include irregular attendance, one or more instances of failing to provide advance notice of an absence or late arrival, or one or more instances of tardiness.
Under certain circumstances, inability to work due to a medical condition may entitle a partner to a leave of absence. (Refer to the “Time Away from Work” section of this guide for more information.)

OP: you are not wrong for calling out 15 minutes prior to your shift, as stated above, it says as much notice as possible which you did due to you being close to your store

Jesslynnlove 2 points 7m ago

Im not too sure but i do believe there is some policy on the time frame in which you call out? Like atleast an hour notice? Idk

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