Starbucks Union - Working at Starbucks

I'm thinking of quitting

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 09:43:38 -0500

I am in the process of deciding to quit. The people on the floor with whom I have to work with are inconsiderate, rude, and condescending while violating my autonomy. I feel walked all over, unwanted, and like scum when I work with some of these people. I am at the point where I constantly need to stand up for myself to alleviate the blows I receive from these peoples rudeness. I work for a non-licensed Starbucks, at an extremely busy store, and the work itself is stressful. I do not need to put up with foul employees to make the situation more stressful. The maltreatment has infiltrated my psyche and corrupted my sense of self worth and exponentiated my stress. I am being psychologically abused.

Applying at Starbucks - Questions

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 14:49:32 -0500

I'm an 18 year old male, and I want to work at Starbucks as a Barista. I'm going to apply soon and I have some questions:

* What kinds of questions can I expect in the interviews?
* I assume there is training?
* What kind of pay can a first time employee with no previous experience expect?
* I am also currently going to college. Are the hours flexible?
* Should I prepare a resume?

Might post more questions as I think of them.

Being accused of stealing at Starbucks.

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:32:16 -0500

So I just started working at Starbucks for about a month and a half. A couple days ago I was told that two peoples tips were missing from their bags from the back room. So I was working with them that afternoon and then the next day when I went in for work, the manager had talked to me about what happened and from my point of view, I think she was suspecting me of stealing the tips from the other two baristas bags. I was wondering if there was anything I can do like talk to corporate about the video cameras in the back or something since thats what their for. Is the manager able to fire me for something I didnt do? Yah I just dont know what to do right now I really like working here and dont want to get fired.

Minneapolis Baristas Go Union

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:18:43 -0500

Minneapolis baristas go union. Check out www.starbucksunion.org

More Starbucks Blues

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 23:17:22 -0400

The Starbucks blues article by Lisa Featherstone is hard hitting and factual. This is a must read for all baristas. This is the other side of the rosy situation that the company would have you believe. Visit www.starbucksunion.org

Was Fired illegally here's my story

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 21:33:34 -0400

removed per request

I think I was fired for no reason...

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 00:48:16 -0400

I started working at Starbucks two weeks ago. When I first started my manager was pretty nice to me, but after my second or third day she changed completely. Anyways, I went through the training books and did the online modules and hands-on training/observing the first week. Last week my manager was at a conference, so I mainly worked on the register or in the drive-thru, I made the coffee, some drinks, etc. All my training supervisors kept telling me how well I was doing and to keep up the good work and everything, and I felt really confident with what I was doing (I was so nervous when I first started). I was off Monday and Tuesday and I opened on Wednesday. It was just me, the manager and one other person (they're pretty understaffed at this location) and the manager told me that I would really have to stay on-top of things since they would be short one person that morning. I was in charge of the register, the coffee, the pastries, and the lobby by myself and since mornings are insane and everyone wants their coffee super fast I was kind of intimidated, but I thought I did pretty well.

A new job...Yeah right!

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 15:19:32 -0400

So I was offered a job to work at Starbucks. Great, I thought - Got my cv in, had the interview, got the job. I was so excited to start work there, but I had no idea it would work out like this -

I work for a Starbucks in England, and since I started, I have been under SO much pressure.

Firstly, I was shoved on tills two days into my job, with no training. Just my friend to show me what to do on the tills, etc. I have been struggling to learn things, since I can only work there at least one day a week, so its not like I can work full time. (I have another job - my main work)I have been struggling to learn codes, and I don't even know who my 'Learning Coach' is.

Anyways, I went to work last Sunday, and I had to ask the customers over and over about what drink they wanted, because I couldn't remember everything they said, and I know some of them got really annoyed with me. At the end of the day, my manager came over to me, and says "If I don't see an improvement by the next time I see you, you won't have a job.". So Now I am under pressure, and its beginning to interfere with my main job.

Ex-barista with an insensitive ex-manager... how can I get rehired?

Sun, 05 Oct 2008 23:10:29 -0400

Okay so I have a bit of a complex situation but please bear with me. I need some advice on what options I have, if I have any at all.

I was hired at Starbucks in town (S) last October by the current manager (who shall henceforth be referred to as K) and, at the time, we were on great terms. I was a frequent customer and when she saw the application in my hand she jumped up and interviewed me right away. Of course I was hired and received my certification after my second week of training.

Granted there was usual Starbucks drama (coworkers and managers butting heads mostly) but I stuck through it, because it was the only job I could get and I absolutely loved it. I have fairly low standards for pay rate and benefits, you see; I am a college student and just need enough to get by.

Well, K and I had a fairly good relationship; when I was going through a hard time with my family I turned to her and she gave me advice and referred me to someone who could help some more, and it worked out great. I was so grateful.

Poor Management and No Respect What So Ever For My Time Or My Shifts From My Starbucks Manager

Sat, 27 Sep 2008 21:10:51 -0400

I work at a Safeway Starbucks in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. My manager shows no respect what so ever,cause she hires me and then a whole bunch of her friends during the summer. She gives me like 4 - 8 hours a week in July, and August. Okay i didn't complain because I'm still new. But on the other hand she starts training all these other people during July and August. I started working July 18, 2008, by August 11 everyone else is certified except me. My manager doesn't certify me until August 13th and says, "Oh you started training on July 18th so why don't we say you were certified July 25th." Then some other guy starts asking her, "what the hell do you mean?" "it's almost August 25th." And two weeks ago on September 10th 2008, my manager phones me and asks me if i would be able to work the following day September 11th, well i'm not the kind of guy who would decline, so i said, "Oh sure I can work." What happened was that i worked the Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday of that week and on the Sunday my Manager asked me, "Oh wait a minute, why did you voluntarily come in to work on Thursday?" Of course I got Pissed off and said to her, "Well you phoned me and asked me to come in for work." Of course she denies it and says, "No, I did no such thing." then i said yes you did i still have record that you phoned me here in call history. The she says, "Well you're going to be paid for that day. Now, couple days ago, which was September 21, 2008, my manager phones me again and she asks me if I would be interested in switching from a Barrista position to a regular Safeway cashier position. Then I told her to give me some time to think about it, then she phones me back telling me, "Well it would be great if you can do that because Safeway Starbucks doesn't have enough funding to pay for your salary." Then again i asked her to give me half an hour to think about it. About 25 - 30 miutes after I came up with a sollution and a fairly polite way to say it to her. I basically thanked her for her concern and asked if it would be possible for me to float to a different Safeway Starbucks then she asked me to give her some time and till today September 27, 2008 she still doesn't have an answer. And I have the feeling that she wants to fire me, becuase I asked my store manager if he was aware of the whole situation of the Safeway's store assistant manager training me later this week. The Safeway store manager said he wasn't aware of the whole situation, and the assistant manager said he never gave his own conscent to even train me for a cashier position.

My district manager doesxn't supoort his employees getting a higher education.

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 13:14:17 -0400

Our district manager said "In order to work in this district, our job had to come before our education." Are all districts like this? Does Starbucks really not support their employees getting a higher education?

Very uncompassionate manager

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 14:43:42 -0400

I'm a member of the union and I have having some huge issues in my district.
I transferred last week to a new store with a fantastic new manager and also promoted back up to shift. My best friend is a barista and we have a lot of things in common (i.e we both lost our first born child). Our new district manager is practically demanding us to not be friends anymore since I promoted back up. We aren't allowed to hang out, period. I don't know what to do about this. We work at different stores and everything.
It seems as though everyone in our district is being punished. The turnover rate has been ridiculous since we got this new DM in place and yes, change is good, but I don't believe that this is the proper way to go about "getting things the way they were supposed to be in the first place".
I have been through a lot of things with Starbucks and most people probably wouldn't even be with the company after experiencing everything I have.
I need advice and if you need to hear more of

Machines used at starbucks

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 23:50:41 -0400

I guys -

Im actually doing a study on the Starbucks company and I'd like to know what kind of machines do you use in the stores.
That'd be great if you could provide me with such useful information!!

Thank you in advance!!

Nick

just got an application

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 02:45:47 -0400

i just picked up an application for starbucks today and i was wondering what are the chances of me getting an interview if i've dropped out of high school. maybe they'll see it as me having more time to work? :D
any tips on things to put down on the app that would help me out a bit?

Need help!!! Dont know what to do!!!

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:21:40 -0400

Ok, so I am kind of in a bind. I have worked at my once awesome store for now 8 months. Recently my manager has hired a few new people and to my surprise they are all her close "friends". She has also brought in some of her co-workers from her old store and there has now become kind off a "clicky" club thing. This however, is not my problem. My issue, is that my manager along with the vast majority of the employees are all doing drugs. Nearly every other day the store meets up at someones house and gets totally messed up. Sometimes they will come into the store clearly "high" and even come on the clock. Until just recently me and several minors were working at the store and the peer pressure being created, at what should be a totally professional environment, is great. It bothers me my manager would act this way with other employees especially the minors and new hires. Sometimes I feel like I'm working in a drug house or something, and certainly I don't mean to judge anyone but I hope somebody can give me some advice.