The only thing I can possibly think of is them trying to protect you from that customer while things are investigated, but it sounds super shady to me. I don’t know who to suggest you reach out to, I feel like either reaching out to your DM or I think ethics and compliance is part of the partner contact center? I really hope they are able to get it sorted out, if you are wanting that, I don’t know that I would want to return having that kind of experience and what seems like little support. :/

Do not let this slide. This is sickening. Call ethics and compliance.

Can you recover the CCTV footage and keep multiple copies of it, before it "accidentally" gets deleted?

When anything is under investigation, you're told not to discuss it with any staff, as it may change the outcome and not work in your favour. I had a supervisor throw a jug at my head in front of 3 members of staff for no reason. We all reported it, and most of the staff knew about it, as the decision to investigate by head office took a few weeks. Once it was underway, I wasn't allowed to discuss it, despite other ppl being aware. Luckily manager and all the staff are great (apart from that one supervisor) and if anything related to the incident/that day was mentioned, we'd be like "we cannot elaborate further *change subject*" or " the thing we cannot discuss atm *move on*".

I was investigated due to an issue with another partner. It is common for them to tell you not to discuss it, but it feels agonizing. I think apart of the reason is that they do reach out to other staff to get a bigger picture of what happened, and want an impartial opinion (I've been on both ends bc I was at an awful store)

It’s sad, really. I’m more concerned about American partners and the issue of gun violence. I live in Canada and while it’s absolutely not unheard of or impossible, it’s far less likely to occur. I can’t even imagine dealing with an escalation and having to worry if or when guns will be involved. I don’t think OP did anything wrong here. idc what company we work for or what the situation leading up to this was, if someone is threatening physical violence and starts coming at you physically, acting out in self defence is both normal and valid 🤷🏼‍♀️

go over your notes and story over and over. Sound confident retelling it. Don't look to make your case with starbucks. if you're suspended, the siren has already decided to terminate you.

I can't emphasize enough to stop communicating with ANYONE at starbucks. even coworkers. when they sit you down to terminate you, say nothing. sign nothing. say goodbye and walk away. then get ready to fight them. if you have a strong enough wrongful termination suit, starbucks lawyers (they have loads of them) will settle with you. get that bag, fuck starbucks for not backing their "partners."

I wouldn’t just throw anything for no reason