Starbucks to pay $75,000 to fired worker with bipolar disorder

Christine Drake was given extra training and support while she worked as a barista for more than two years, starting in 2001. But in her third year, new management at the coffee shop discontinued the extra support and then fired her, which she says violated the Americans with Disabilities Act. Starbucks has agreed to pay Drake $75,000 and give $10,000 to the Disability Rights Legal Center. (Associated Press)
> Here's the earlier post -- with Starbucks Gossip readers' comments -- on this case

Comments

[zepling]

Good for her. She shouldn't have been fired in the first place if her story is true.

[seventysix]

Good for her. No union required.

seventysix [76]
HAUD IGNOTA LOQUOR
STARBUCKS REBEL ALLIANCE

[Z-PHANTOM]

She probably should have been promoted to customer after her first day.

Ok, for two years she was coddled and babied, then at year three it was sink or swim on her own..could not hack it and was fired.
STBX should not have caved.

[Danielle]

I wonder what the "support" was. I mean, if she had to have extra staffing while she was working, that sure adds up.
The manager probably wanted to bonus.

I also wonder what other companies would accomodate her for 2 years. I mean, come on, the job isn't that difficult!

Settling, in the long run, probably saved the company a lot of money. sounds like they made a good decision.

[Bill]

I guess if a bipolar employee is worth $75,000; each of their momopolar employees should be entitled to $37,500.

On the other hand, if there is such a thing as tripolar, that should be worth $112,500.

[BOSTON STARBUCKS REBEL]

I do not think you all realize the totality of bipolar disorder. I am sure when she was in a good mood, she was wonderful with customers and great to work with. However, those who go into their deep depressions can be certainly a danger to themselves. Undoubtedly, I am sure the store partners were there to help her through the darkness. I think maybe some days she did not show up to work because her depression would not even allow her to get out of bed. Granted with a combination of therapy and drugs this condition can be treated. It is a constant, daily battle that requires a positive environment. If you had all forgot about STAR Skills, you should always maintain and enhance a partner's self-esteem.
Mental health is often overlooked by many because it is not easily understood. The unknown frightens us. Psychology is a real science, contrary to Tom Cruise's opinion.

BOSTON STARBUCKS REBEL
PRIMUS INTER PARES
STARBUCKS REBEL ALLIANCE
AIM SN: BOSTONSTARREBEL

[Meredith]

The moral of the story: be on top of corrective action, managers! Document tardiness, absences, improper dress code, cash handling errors, etc. Enough documented "offenses" makes terminating someone a slam dunk. Some people aren't cut out for this type of profession, just as I am not cut out for dentistry. That's life. I think it's great that we give people chances, but sometimes even after a few weeks you know it's not the right fit. And if it's not the right fit, you're going to find valid reasons to write them up. Write them up, document it, talk to your partner resources management teams, and do the deed.

I think it's great she made bank off of the 'bux. She probably was treated unfairly. I've known a lot of managers who tend to lead partners on by keeping them around for weeks, months, years because they're fearful of retaliation upon termination. All that does is mislead the partner into thinking they're "cut out" for the job.

I'm just glad it's over. :)

[Starbucks Fan]

My sympathy to anyone who has to work with some that is bipolar. I did that once and never again.

[Leslie]

I think you all are very insensitive people and you should not be aloud to work yourselves. If any of you came to me for a job and I actually hired any of you, which I probably wouldnt as you are all so very rude, but IF I did hire you you would not last one day with me! This lady deserves every single penny she got and more! The company new she had a disability when they hired her. And yes they probably kept her on because they didnt want retaliation. However they had to release the info to the new managers upon them taking over and well the new managers new she had the dissability when they took over therefor they CAN NOT terminate her based on her dissability. Which is what happened. Now when you all decide to go hireing people maybe you should question these potential new hirees about physical as well as mental disabilities then you can go ahead and NOT hire them based on the fact that they have a disability and well then the potential hiree can turn right around and sue you anyway because you did not hire them based on the fact they have a disability. Either way its a win win for the employee.
Now for the kicker! I own my own business, I work everyday, and I hire and fire as I see fit. However I myself am BIPOLAR! Ugly word is it?? Maybe you all should take a few classes and get a clue! Not everyone who is bipolar has problems in the work place and we do not need accomodations, maybe a little support but no accomodations. You STARBUCKS FAN can stick it! Hope you never come to me for a job!

Leslie, now calm down...

[cuckoo You]

It's like a bipolar monologue with both poles included. It's great. Can we have a repeat performance.
I'm of the school that if you have good days/ bad days don't work at a place that needs you to show up everyday.
I'm just spaying

[Terry]

Leslie:
aloud -> allow
new -> knew

My opinion is that Starbucks did the right thing.
Bipolar people can work very well, but only in certain jobs, perhaps the career you are in Leslie.

However, mood of employees in Starbucks are a very big part of the customer and partner experience and if I was the manager I'd recommend her to get another job and give her good reference.

I know managers that would put upset partners in the backroom until they have collected themselves and then be allowed to be on the floor.

Mood is very contagious and happy partners = happy customers.

[Christine]

Yes like Meredith... I am glad this is over~ and I was the key player in this. I just want to wish you all well, even if you don't agree that I should be employed and independent in society. We all deserve a fair shot. I also want to add that I am sorry If I made any of my coworkers or customers uncomfortable~ I think it is sad that all my goal was is to be off of the system. I did try my hardest to work with this manager. He was impossible. I want to add that I contacted the HR on my manager several times to alert them that I was being threatened on a daily basis by him. Noone ever investigated because all of the blame was put on me and the fact that I had depression and was things were happening because I was simply "just having an episode." I guess I deserved his treatment right? I sure hope that noone has to go through what I did. You might be surprised when you go through proper channels and are ignored. And the partners that are your friends decide that they would rather keep their jobs than step up to the plate. Two months after I first filed with the EEOC my manager was asked to step down from his position in management. I am also sure that people would not back him up if they wanted to discuss this and his part in the whole thing.
Good luck to everyone~

[jack]

good luck to you Christine, you see everyone there are always 2 sides to every story, it is hard for anyone to comment on people and judge a situation we are not involved in. why is it we can't just give people the benefit of the doubt first, and have some compassion, and take a minute to try to understand..

[retailer]

85K to get rid of her is cheap when you consider what it would cost if she had one of her 'episodes' and spilled hot coffee on a customer or customers baby etc.

I have to give it to starbucks for actually giving her a shot. Most shops would have never taking that chance in todays lawsuit happy environment.

Accommodation - does not mean life time employment.
there is a point that the employer can no longer accommodate a disability. It may not be fair but it is life.
It is a business not a welfare office.
STBX should not have "caved" into political correctness.

[Anonymous]

To 'blank poster'

"STBX should not have "caved" into political correctness"...so does that mean you support the Nazi party? Do you support NaziBucks?

[gunslinger]

First off - Leslie, please learn how to spell.
Second, Christine, I honestly wish you the best in whatever you do.
Starbucks never ceases to amaze me. They are more than willing to give anyone a chance, and that is rare in the current corporate environment. But let's get real.
At some point, the training wheels have to come off. Are the companies we work for really supposed to pay for every single one of our defects?
Personally, I don't think that customer service is an appropriate job choice for someone with this disability. I'm an alcoholic. Do you see me running out and getting a job as a bartender?
Starbucks gave her a fair shake, and it didn't work out. I don't think Starbucks deserved to get nailed for $85,000.

[Summer]

"STBX should not have "caved" into political correctness"...so does that mean you support the Nazi party? Do you support NaziBucks?

What the hell?
Giving some two years plus to get trained and them dismissing them because they could not hack it, is hardly nazism.
Have you ever read a history book?
Do you even Have a clue as to who the nazi' were?

What a total dork.
No wait, imbecile is a better description.

[SBUXBEAST]

i agree with summer. SBux did everything they possibly could to help. Other corporations like Nationwide Insurance would fire an employee instantly if they weren't living up to job standards on their own. It wouldn't be fair to other partners if they had to open with someone who is unreliable...

I think several things are lost in this discussion.

* We do not know the particulars of Christine's disability, so nobody but partners in her store know what it was like to work with her. Therefore, it is unfair to judge.

* Many disabilities, like hers, are extremely misunderstood. It would not surprise me if people thought Christine was a crackpot because of their own deficiencies, not hers. People in my store think I am a crackpot because I use polysyllabic words they don't understand. I told someone I disliked some partners because they were moral relativists. It is not my fault they don't know what this means.

* Much depends on how you get on with your boss. If Christine was successfully employed under the earlier managers, then it seems she could have been accommodated with a "nice-guy" boss who was more compassionate.

* There is a variety of jobs at Starbucks. If Christine was not doing well dealing with customers, she could instead be stocking shelves, sweeping floors, etc.

* We have several partners with extremely difficult and unpleasant personalities who are not bipolar. It is hard to imagine that Christine was more unpleasant than they.

There seems to be a lot more here that is untold. But I certainly sympathize with someone who is terminated under such circumstances.

[SBUXBEAST]

What you've said is true...

[Cookie Jill]

I worked with a barista who had Tourette's syndrome up in San Francisco.

It was rarely evident, but there were a couple of times when the twitching was exceedingly noticeable and a couple "choice" words slipped out. But the other baristas AND the customers didn't really have a problem with it once he told them what his medical condition was.

[Anonymous]

Summer,

EFF you. You're the one that needs to understand the point. To not have cave into political correctedness is anti-american.

You don't say the N-word to an African American. A neo-nazi or rascist would say the former. What the person was suggesting a non-PC stance which permits them to go with the 'clean' and non-'pink elephant' approach.

Any more smart remarks, Summer? Because there's another EFF you coming if you try anything clever. Would you like to try saying something non-PC to me?

I dare you.

[Anonymous]

EDIT: caved, as in past tense was my intention.

[Summer]

Honestly Anonymous,
I do not know what to say to you because your post makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.
I am going to give you the benefit of the doubt and say there was a posting error, because it is just gobble gook.

[carol]

Any more smart remarks, Summer? Because there's another EFF you coming if you try anything clever. Would you like to try saying something non-PC to me?

I dare you.

Pretty strong words coming from someone who can't even put their name to it, huh anonymous? I guess your comeback to me will be your ever so profound "eff you"

[RainGrlBarista]

I understand that WE ALL have our good days & bad days. IT IS called life! It does not matter IF you have a disability or not. If I am feeling bad about myself or simply having a rough time, I will communicate w/my partners about what's happening. If necessary & depending on business flow, I will step off the floor (with the shift's consent)and take a 10minute break. I do witness a couple of partners (who get overwhelmed more easily than myself)thinking "out loud" in some negative ways. If that is happening & I am working with either one of them, I will offer to take over for them or simply ask if there is anything I can do to help them. I will help anybody within reason. Granted, there are some stores that probably don't offer the support & connections between partners. It is a violation of standards & values within the company. All we can do is do our best each day. It is a shame that (in our country & our society)lawsuits are as common & frequent as the cold virus and/or allergies. Go figure! C'est la vie!

P.S. Christine-I wish you the best of luck in life. Keep you head up & go forward and make the best of things.

Leslie-I will pray for you and hope that your wrath won't get you or others around you in the end. With that kind of behavior you displayed on this site, I would be very surprised & shocked that you have ANYBODY working for you, period. Very sad.

[Darleen]

All we can do is do our best each day. It is a shame that (in our country & our society)lawsuits are as common & frequent as the cold virus and/or allergies. Go figure! C'est la vie!

How right you are RainGrlBarista, however you are, from what I can tell from your posts, a warm and caring person, which is all any of us can ever aspire to be. Your store should be very glad to have someone of your caliber, I'm sure the partners you work side by side with everyday sure are! Keep that great attitude you have and thanks for putting a smile on my face!

[me]

Leslie, F7 is spelling and grammer check.

[WestCoastCustomer]

It's a shame that most people who are fired from their jobs for having a psychiatric disability don't have their cases taken to court like this - but this was an unusually blatant example of discrimination. The Americans with Disabilities Act was meant for people with all kinds of disabilities, not just physical ones.

Christine deserved every penny of the $75,000 she got, and I would've liked to have seen her get more. She was a successful Starbucks employee for two years, and it was only when she got a jerk of a manager that she had problems.

Most of the statements against her on this blog seem to be all about her having the label of "bipolar", and say little or nothing about anything she actually did wrong. To ignore a person's behavior and condemn them just for having a label like that is sheer bigotry.

[Anonymous]

Summer and Carol,

You both still don't get it. You support the bigotry of Starbucks.

[Summer]

Bigotry is NOT training someone for TWO years and when they can not "get it" are let go in third third year.
It is NOT the responsibility of a company to coddle someone with a disability for ever.
There are some disabilities which can not be accommodated.

[Anonymous]

Summer,

Then list the disabilities that cannot be accomodated.

Prove it.

[Summer]

I fell at work and shattered my ankle. The injury is permanent, I can not stand for more than about twenty minutes before extreme pain and swelling - this will be forever. Since I can not be on my feet for eight hours, I can not be accommodated at the store level. Office work but not the store.
Someone in a wheel chair can not be accommodated at the store. Someone who is blind or deaf can not be accommodated at the store level.
Should I go on?

[C]

How to you know that I wasn't "Getting It?" I was doing fine on my performance reviews and even won a 100% snapshot all by myself. There are reasons that the EEOC took this case on. Try a manager that was very demeaning to me. Telling me that he wouldn't help me sign up for medical and why should I worry because I was on disability. Other things that you do not know. The last "Accommodation" I only needed after two years was someone who was supportive. That is why he is currently not a manager for Starbucks... Because he wasn't supportive.

[Summer]

Ok, let me get this correct - you filed a law suit against STBX for discrimination under the ADA because your manager was an ass? Because you manager would not help you fill out a form?
Listen there are lost of managers that are asses but that does not mean you deserve money for it.
Based on everything you have said I think you were asking for extraordinary accommodations and there was a manger that stopped saying yes.
The person was fired because STBX caved, it makes them look less guilty. they paid because its cheaper than fighting these law suits.
There are people who need accommodations, I think STBX bent over backwards for you, then caved rather than fight the suit.

[sixyearpartner]

SUMMER. . .

First, I am sorry that you hurt your ankle.

Second though, Starbucks CAN accomodate many disabilities. Our second guiding principle . . . Embracing diversity as an essential component in the way we do business. Diversity is not just black/white, male/female, young/old.

Hiring a deaf person was the best thing I've ever done in my life.

[cornfrost]

Summer, I think you are overlooking the fact that the single biggest factor in terms of whether someone is successfully employed is their relationship with their boss.
A great manager can make employees happy and enthused, while a horrible one can suck out every shred of energy and motivation.
Christine happened to have bad luck with the manager who fired her. With a different personality mix, the whole situation could have been avoided.

[Anonymous]

Summer,

Deafness cannot be acccomodated? I'm shocked at the ignorance. You just proved my point.

I'm deaf and worked for Starbucks since 1999. I had no trouble working with my partners all those years and they were totally cool with me.

I was a 6 digit partner...yep, "Old School" baby. I can go hardcore with the LaMazarrco without touching the Verismos, realizing years later that they don't amount to much to the quality despite calibrating.

To SixYearPartner, rock! I worked alongside a deaf african american girl younger than me...it's very, very rare..almost unheard of to have two deaf people on the same floor. But we managed to do it.
However, the store I worked at was slow due to the location and business sector (economics) which explains the possible reasons why it was easier for her to work around.

Although I worked in several stores and the first one I was at is one of the busiest and oldest shops since '99.

[Summer]

Anon,
I'm intrigued that you mention race but thats another post.
Hardly ignorant of the matter.
As someone who hires, I have been told the accommodations for hiring someone who is deaf are too high.
Its great you are able to work within your disability (if you consider it as such).
It still goes back to the point the C was not able to deal with an ass of a manger and filed a law suit. There are ass managers everywhere and there is not necessarily a collation between disabilities and ass managers.

Its time for people to grow up and stop blaming everyone else for their personal issues.
If you work for an ass either deal with or get a new job.
Take responsibility for yourself.

There will always be so much more that you won't know here. I am sorry to have gotten started in all of this gossip. I am proud to say that I am one of those people that care about everyone... Even the person who did this to me. I was sorry we couldn't find a happy medium at least and work with one another. God knows how hard I tried. There is so much that you won't know about what happened. True abuse~ That is why I filed because noone should have been treated like I was. Unlike some people believe, it does take some struggle for people to file a claim.

[jenny]

i love starbucks... id kill for a cinnamon dolce frappacino. i never have to wait either maybe because a grande is 4.40 but i usually get a tall...3.87, does starbucks have like a buy 10 get one free, anything like that?

[Joe]

All of you jerks who codemn people with bipolar disorder should have to live with it for a couple of weeks as punishment. Some of our greatest minds and accomplishmetns have been made by people who suffer from bipolar disorder. Shame on all of you! I hope you don't call yourself Christians!

[michael jones]

I completely agree with you! It is not easy to help people with bipolar disorder! But we have to!!!

[Big Bil Hayseed]

Good for her; she beat the odds.

Baristas the world over should tilt the odds in their favor by unionizing.

An injury to one is an injury to all.

www.starbucksunion.org

[Shari]

WOW I can't believe the people on here who think people with Bi-Polar disorder should be put away. Why not put them all in a PSYCH. Facility.
For all of you who believe this. I have lived with Bi-Polar and ADD for more than 30 years now. It is a every day battle for me as it is with anyone who has been unfortunate enough to have it. I struggled and struggled much of my life and did my best. I completed college and became a nurse. It takes all my strength daily to get through the day. Managers and Owners don't care about you. I don't tell anyone about my Bi-Polar disorder. One thing I do alot is interupt others when they are talking. I don't mean too it just is one of those things that you do. I had a boss scream at me in front of many others and say. What is the matter with you are you Bi-Polar or something. Do you know how that feels? Shame on you folks who have never had a problem and like to discriminate against others. Being manic and being depressed in a matter of minutes is very difficult, it does take quite alot of energy from us. I do not consider myself disabled, I do consider myself a good person who is out in the world making a difference, caring for people who are ill and in need. At times I may need a little extra assistance to get through a tough part of the day, But I just keep going. You folks who don't believe, someday you may be one of my patients.