Starbucks slips to #24 (from #7) on the Fortune "100 Best Companies to Work For" list

The magazine says: "Despite closing 600 stores and laying off 1,200 employees, Starbucks remains an attractive workplace, especially for part-timers seeking health insurance." Read "Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For" | See the full list

Comments

[Pat Nerr]

that's better than I figured it would fare

[netter]

That's better than it should fair. My husband worked his butt off for this company. He was placed at a struggling store and turned it around. Yet they decided to work him for 60-70 hrs/wk through the holidays (he was a SM) and then give him the boot, citing the fact that he had high turnover and wasn't available to his employees. I have never seen anyone more available. As a SM, he would get phone calls at all hours - 1 am, 5am, you name it. He always responded almost immediately. He worked many extra hours for employees that called off. He got no thanks and now has no jobs. And it is his fault that baristas want to quit - he isn't the one that slashed their hours over the holidays. Oh, and he got chastised for telling his employees that the hour cuts were coming from above. His DM got a call and didn't want to take the heat. Sounds like Sbux middle management needs some help!

[Mike]

@netter -- I see a lot of my fellow SMs making the same sacrifices and I'm telling them to stop. If they want you gone, you will be gone, one way or the other. Might not have had anything to do with his performance or availability at all. Probably something totally unrelated to what he was told but because the company needs to cover its ass through a paper trail you got a bullshit story.
This is a perfect example of the way it is now. And to see us at #24...my reaction immediately was "Really...wtf?"
Netter, your husband was surely one of the good ones...probably one who spoke up and didn't bend over and take it up the tailpipe like the corporate robots they're installing now. I'm still here hoping it gets better but I hate the continued slashing of jobs. How long was he in position? I've seen a lot of tenured SMs being laid off only to be replaced by brand new (and much cheaper) ASM promotes.
If it's any consolation, every manager I've spoken to who is no longer with Starbucks has said they are happier than they've been in a long time. You guys will land on your feet and maybe in a couple months you'll be thanking Starbucks for doing you a favor!

"Sounds like Sbux middle management needs some help!"

"Sounds like Sbux middle management" is the problem!!!

These positions (DM and RDO) are pointless. They do not make money for the company. Can 'em both.

[nothingtocomplainabout]

#24 is not a bad place to be. Sure, not as well as last year. To still be considered one of the top 25 jobs to be at is a great job to have in this economic time. Our total pay package has changed a bit with 401K matches not being offered possibly. I feel happy about the job that I have. I'm coming up on seven years with this company and have seen our company thrive. Now is not the greatest time but it's not a bad job. Benefits for part time work, stock investment options, bean grant, free coffee, tuition reimbursment, free health programs. Starbucks has a lot to offer and has yet to cut what a lot of jobs are: health care benefits which is huge. When you only recognize the hard parts of your role whether it be DM, SM, SS or barista then your behavior towards your job or anything for that matter will only be negative. Sure it may be hard to work @ (3.5%) VTI and only 12 hrs non-cov as a store but it's happening. I know many mgrs who are doing a great job given the circumstances. It helps to take a second during a busy day and think that you have a good job and work for a great company. Keep your heads up all you great partners, times are rough, but it will turn around.

[kc barista]

re: nothingtocomplainabout

Are you a manager or something? In case you haven't noticed, stock is worthless, there is no clean sweep any more, and people are struggling to keep 20 hours a week, making health care hard to even keep. It sounds like you are just a corporate cheerleader with no sense of reality.

[Ex Bux Pgh]

Netter, I have to agree with Mike above. I got the boot from the company back in June, having spent a year as an ASM. They still haven't filled my old position, and this is one of the top 3 stores in the Pittsburgh metro area. I kinda like the idea that the SM, and by extension the DM, are left to twist in the wind. The company is completely on the wrong path, and if they think sinking to #24 is bad, wait until next year after the effects of all of the coming layoffs and even further tightening of labor come into play.

For myself, I got a low level job with the cable company. Excellent benefits, even better than Starbucks. Guaranteed hours with voluntary overtime. 401(k) with a 100%, fully vested match up to 6% of pay. Shift differential for working past 9 pm. Bonus structure for ALL employees that is actually attainable. Unlimited mobility within the company. Comprehensive and ongoing training programs that we are encouraged to take part in. Tuition reimbursement that makes Starbucks' program look like an afterthought. Better health benefits than Starbucks, for about half the cost. And a corporate culture like Starbucks used to have, where people feel valued.

I'm not trying to rub this in anyone's face, I'm just saying there are options out there. So I guess I should be thanking the entire management structure in the Pittsburgh area for giving me this chance. I didn't see it at the time, but their cheap political games actually did me a huge favor. Maybe I'll stop in an thank them on my way to work today!

[beantheredonethat]

any company that had to layoff staff last year, in large part due to mismanagement at the senior executive level, should not have made this list.

starbucks knows how to play the award submission game.

but it ain't such a great place to work, last year, or now.

The listing says that Sbux allows telecommuting. They are obviously not talking about the position of barista, which is probably 90% of Sbux jobs.

And let us not forget, this Best Companies list is a PR-generated effort to highlight only positive things. They ignore all negatives! This is NOT anyone's unbiased opinion! It is purely a cheerleading feel-good effort that ignores anything bad.

[Christin]

Netter...I don't want to make a judgement but based on what you say your husband had to do for his store I wouldn't say he was a great manager. Hard worker? Yes. But good manager? no.

[Darleen]

kc barista wrote: It sounds like you are just a corporate cheerleader with no sense of reality

What in nothingtocomplainabouts post would make you resort to name calling and insults? nothingtocomplainabout was trying to be encouraging to partners. What is going on with some of the posts here lately? Personal attacks, name calling, total disrespect. I guess this site should only be used now if you hate Starbucks and don't have a mind of your own to be able to disagree with someone without resorting to ugliness.

[lattegal]

Big Surprise! Didn't think it would be so high.

[Field Partner]

The ranking is still way too high. Many of the benefits cited by Fortune only apply to SSC-based partners - less than 5% of partners. But they sure treat that 5% well.

[Mike]

@Darleen -- Nice to see you again...

[Jeff]

Darleen,

Given the sentence you are using for a quote, I fail to see why you are so upset. The original post kc barista referred to was, at its core, a "rah rah" post. Seems kc barista was just posting their opinion and I'd venture to say that nothingtocomplainabout would see being called a "corporate cheerleader" as a compliment, again given the tenor of their original post.

I have read your posts on this website for some time. Both before and after you left SBUX, you have been, for the most part, on the side of SBUX. That, in and of itself is not an issue; however, as I recall, on another thread you reacted pretty much along the lines you have here with the added comment that you were going to stop posting if the webmaster left up someone else's comments. I haven't been back to that thread to see if the OP you wrote of is still there or not, but you seem to be a bit on the edge lately.

I hate seeing you let this website and the postings of others affect you so much. Take a deep breath and let go of the tension. You no longer work for SBUX, just as I no longer own any stock in the company. I come to this website because it seems to be the best source of knowledge regarding what is going on with the company. It would appear you come now to defend the company and react, badly frankly, if/when you read something by someone that you don't like. Bottom line, lighten up; there are more important things in life to worry about, plus if nothingtocomplainabout isn't up in arms about kc's post...why are you? Take care and continued good luck in your new career.

[P.R.I.D.E.]

Jeff, what a passive/agressive post...everyone is allowed their opinion here, and your little "relax and move on with your life" opinion is just as valid, but is transparent. People who used to work for Starbucks did so because we had passion in the company, so to tell us to "take a deep breath" kinda makes me want to vomit.

Darleen- keep coming back, keep representing the old school like some of us still try to do. I don't post nearly as often, much because of what you describe in your post. It's sad to see that most partners are so forlorn right now on this site, especially knowing what it's like on the outside (it ain't pretty either).

Come on guys! Starbucks is still the best fast food place to work for, right?

[GossipGirl]

Partners,
We did it!

Congrats 24th place!
-
That is at least -20% VTI

We Hit Our Goal!!

[Cut out the Heart]

All I am going to say to this thread is that this is a precipitous fall for a company. To go from 7 to 24 demonstrates the strategic change of direction this company has made and mark my words, the ranking is going to be significantly lower next year. The people that ran this company who made partner satisfaction a high priority are no longer running the company. Those that are there now only are focused on profits. Now, I am not some liberal non-profit minded person. I work for a multi billion dollar company in a low margin industry but what we have figured out is that the way to make money for the long haul is to take care of employees who will take care of the customers that in turn make repeated visits and drive sales and profits. Starbucks went from a company that used this philosophy to one that focues solely on profit. That is only going to lead to lower profits over time. Howard needs to remember where he came from and get back to what made him the millions of dollars he earns each year and that is through partner satisfaction.

[Mike B.]

If only they could see it from a store/barista point of view and not from executives.

[Darleen]

Jeff, what a passive/agressive post...everyone is allowed their opinion here, and your little "relax and move on with your life" opinion is just as valid, but is transparent. People who used to work for Starbucks did so because we had passion in the company, so to tell us to "take a deep breath" kinda makes me want to vomit.

Darleen- keep coming back, keep representing the old school like some of us still try to do. I don't post nearly as often, much because of what you describe in your post.

P.R.I.D.E,
My sentiments exactly. When I come on here I come to keep up on whats going on, not to read about someone being called a cheerleader if they have something positive to say. i think any type of encouragement would be appreciated by partners who are trying to remain positive and still provide THEIR CUSTOMERS and PARTNERS with a good experience. however, those of us who do defend the company are always getting the verbal onslaughts.

Jeff,
The relax and take a deep breath part is a bit funny. I think maybe some of the posts are valid, the others that come here only to vent and bash day after day are tired. To call someone a cheerleader without a sense of reality is a bit out of reality itself. We all have our opinions on the company. Being supportive and being out of touch with reality are two different things. I did not act badly in my post to kc barista, just asked why do they have to respond with name calling because someone else has a different opinion. Seriously guys, when the chips are down is when all of you should be supporting each other, not hurting each other by name calling and insults. Like me, hate me, whatever. I still have hope in this company, and I have hope that the partners will find a way to be happy at their job,to tell me to move on.....maybe some of the posters on here should as well. I still want to enjoy coming here, sharing my thoughts and giving support, not hate.

[javajane]

I haven't seen mention of this yet, so I wanted to make it clear...the Forbes list is based on information from 2007. Wait to see how far Starbucks drops on the list next year when the 2008 data is utilized!

[quityourbitchin]

Wow, yet again I'm blown away by the ability of this angry mob to focus only on the negative they want to see, and none of the positive staring them in the face.

"Our lives suck! Boo Starbucks for being recognized as a good company!"
You should recognize this ranking as what it is: validation that you work for a GREAT company. Do you see a single SBUX competitor above us on this list? Or even anywhere close, below us? We are doing the best of any of our competitors (both direct competitors like Caribou, Peets, etc and indirect competitors like McD's, Dunkin, etc). I've said it before, and I'll say it again, clear the crud out of your eyes and realize that it sucks EVERYWHERE right now. Provided you can find a job somewhere else in this economy, why don't you go check out how much "better" you'll be treated at one of those places and then come back a few weeks later? Your expectations are so unattainably high that you'll never be happy. Someone needs to give you all a big fat gut check.

If this is based on data from 2007, why are the layoff figures included? This data seems to be compiled from mid-2008, shortly after all the SBUX layoffs. Just a guess, but it's based on the fact that a lot of other companies who have issued pink slips don't seem to have those job cuts reflected in their list.

This is something we SHOULD all be proud of. We see one company, maybe a few through family, close friends and significant others. FORTUNE sees *hundreds*. Why is it so easy for all of you to cry conspiracy and blasphemy that this neutral 3rd party evaluated all those companies and decided we're not as bad off as you thought? What makes all of us so omnipotent that we know how good things are going at other companies? With all the free time you claim to have since you're supposedly barely getting 20 hours (but somehow no free time to volunteer 5 hours to help someone else? hmm), go read some other blogs that track other companies and see what those employees have to say about their place of work. Maybe you can all get together and have a pity party.

Quit stroking your bruised egos. It's ok to admit you've been wrong about how bad you have it in comparison to the rest of the country. Really, it is. But if you can't do that, at least stop hypocritically saying you love this company. Love includes wanting to see the other party succeed, and there don't seem to be a lot of you here who do.

I've been anxiously waiting for some good news, and yesterday we got some. It feels good if you take a step back to get some perspective and realize what it symbolizes.

[Jake]

Jeff -- well said. Not "passive/aggressive" at all, but a valid observation of the behavior of the "cheerleaders" on this board. Perhaps the cheerleaders should be content to post on "Mystarbucksidea" rather than whine when someone disagrees with them or how Howard has and is running this company into the ground. Those are the individuals who are truly passive/aggressive, yet cloak themselves in an aura of "goodness" and "support".

Gossip girl: LOL! I loved your post referring to -20% VTI.

[hanging in There]

AMEN and well said quityourbitchin.

[Hanging in There]

Imagine how difficult it must be to stay as high as 24th when you have over 146,000 employees to keep happy. Nobody comes close to that number of employees until you get to Fedex at number 90. Its pretty easy to be at the top when you have a reletively small amount of people to pasify. I'm glad to still have a job.

[Starbucks Addict No More]

I have spent probably $50+ per week at Starbucks for the last 10 years. No more. I can't afford to pay $4 for a cup of coffee any more. The new "recycled" plastic lids have popped off and coffee plopped in my lap on more than several occasions. The taste of the coffee has degraded.

Starbucks is losing customers like me. I think if they cut the price of coffee and cut corners on things that don't matter, you would all still have your jobs.

They need to rethink strategy.

[Cut out the Heart]

I hope quityourbitchin and hanginThere are right and the rest of us whiny, complainy types are wrong. I want to be wrong but when it quacks like a duck, walks like a duck, and smells like a duck, my only conclusion is to think it is a duck.

Oh, by the way the data for the Forbes study is dated even though they just announced. According to the Forbes website, "Fortune polled more than 81,000 randomly selected employees at 353 companies, using a 57-question survey. Two-thirds of a company's score was based on survey results and the balance was based on studies about demographics, pay, benefits, communication and other factors, it said."

If they are using the 2008 survey that was completed, that was done prior to the first round of layoffs. Matter of fact, senior leadership was rushing that survey through so as to not let the layoffs tarnish their results. Do you really think that the results would be the same if the survey was issued today?

It is a tough year for everyone but the response by Howard and the team has been especially deplorable.

Again, I hope I am wrong and I will be the first one to admit it.

[Darleen]

Jeff -- well said. Not "passive/aggressive" at all, but a valid observation of the behavior of the "cheerleaders" on this board. Perhaps the cheerleaders should be content to post on "Mystarbucksidea" rather than whine when someone disagrees with them or how Howard has and is running this company into the ground. Those are the individuals who are truly passive/aggressive, yet cloak themselves in an aura of "goodness" and "support".

Jake,
Perhaps you should find an "I hate Starbucks" site. None of us (cheerleaders) are whining, I think you got it backwards. All you naysayers do is whine and bitch and moan lately. It is pretty nauseating.

[Noodoggy]

Imagine how difficult it must be to stay as high as 24th when you have over 146,000 employees to keep happy. Nobody comes close to that number of employees until you get to Fedex at number 90. Its pretty easy to be at the top when you have a reletively small amount of people to pasify. I'm glad to still have a job.

Posted by: Hanging in There | January 23, 2009 at 11:26 AM

Awww..a voice of sanity and critical thinking...
To all those thinking that this company is on the downfall...you arent doing your part...or you arent talking to the right people. I will tell you that where I am we have some good people in this company and I am so thankful for it. For the past six months we have been running only about 3-6% below last year...and I couldnt be happier! Why? B/c for the previous year we ran under 20% to last year. Given the economic situation...if we come close to last year...we're hanging good. And through it all, I have insisted and instilled in my partners the idea that it's not about the quick buck but its the returning bucks that make the company sustainable. Period. That's why we are in the crisis we are in. Read up on why the housing and credit markets crashed. All for the love of the quick, not my problem, buck.

[Darleen]

This is something we SHOULD all be proud of. We see one company, maybe a few through family, close friends and significant others. FORTUNE sees *hundreds*. Why is it so easy for all of you to cry conspiracy and blasphemy that this neutral 3rd party evaluated all those companies and decided we're not as bad off as you thought? What makes all of us so omnipotent that we know how good things are going at other companies? With all the free time you claim to have since you're supposedly barely getting 20 hours (but somehow no free time to volunteer 5 hours to help someone else? hmm), go read some other blogs that track other companies and see what those employees have to say about their place of work. Maybe you can all get together and have a pity party.

Watch out quityourbitchin, you'll be getting an onslaught of hate posts soon if you show any love or support for this company. Remember, this is where folks come to bitch and moan, not support or exchange civil communications.

[Noodoggy]

ha ha darleen...good one...now how come no one wants to talk civil and discuss the topic with some degree of critical thinking? ahhh...the world's handed to us on a silver platter or rather a shiny monitor screen...lol

[NotanUnhappyperson]

Let me remind anyone who hates this company, that they STILL provide us with excellent health care benefits that are FAR more affordable than other companies where my friends work. This will be one of the worst economic years to date and we just need to realize that this is not only at SBUX, it is EVERYWHERE. We learn the most under the worst of times so people grow up and shut the whining up. My 85 year old grandma continually says -remember you still have a job that takes care of you. I am.

[NotanUnhappyperson]

that being said, I do agree that middle management DM's need to be re-visited again and again and again by this company. RDO position good, but there should be some blame on DM's and the fact that we had TOOO many and unfortunately they CUT THE WRONG ONES last year. I think it is an extremely important position and we need THE BEST PARTNERS in it and coupled with great managers we could turn things around. i know a few great ones.

[quityourbitchin]

Cut out the Heart - Appreciate your willingness to at least see both sides of the coin in your critical view of the situation. But to clarify something you said, Forbes/Fortune set the deadline that the data from surveys was due, not SBUX. There was no company conspiracy to rush and get the input prior to the layoffs -- it's right there in the language you quoted that they were Fortune's surveys, not SBUX's. Timing would have been the same across all 350+ companies. And if the survey was done today, I'm betting a lot of companies would be suffering the same drops.

I can't reiterate enough, and worry I'll eventually get blue in the face... This is a universal problem across all sectors of the American economy. It's like a football game in bad weather. You look at your QB's stats and wonder why he isn't getting any passing yards, but you also have to look at the other team's QB and realize he isn't getting them either. You just hope your running game has legs to keep you going until the wind and rain die down. I have faith that SBUX's does.

[quityourbitchin]

Thanks for the reminder, Darleen... Appreciate your voice on here now as much as ever. Same goes to Noodoggy, Hanging in There, NotanUnhappyPerson, and the rest of you who aren't afraid to open your eyes. I love this company. Not just for what it is, but for what it represents. And as Mitch Albom wrote in Tuesdays with Morrie: "Love wins. Love always wins."

Shielded with that knowledge, I'm not afraid of the inevitable hate posts. I look forward to meeting any misinformed comments of foolhardy rabble rousing head-on.

[Darleen]

Thanks for the reminder, Darleen... Appreciate your voice on here now as much as ever. Same goes to Noodoggy, Hanging in There, NotanUnhappyPerson, and the rest of you who aren't afraid to open your eyes. I love this company. Not just for what it is, but for what it represents. And as Mitch Albom wrote in Tuesdays with Morrie: "Love wins. Love always wins."

You are so right quityourbitchin, love always wins. You would not believe some of the responses I get on here. I have been called a lap dog, accused of sleeping with Howard, cheerleader, moron, etc. I try to take most with a grain of salt however, it gets hard at times. It seems that anytime I post something that i "want" to be a positive, it gets bashed. I dig your attitude and hope that maybe you can be the voice of reason to some of the haters here. Just hope you have some very thick skin, mine is wearing thinner by the minute! I want for the company to succeed. I want the partners to be able to go to work with a smile on their faces. Yet when I try to be encouraging or supportive, I get slammed. or called a cheerleader or lap dog. I thank you for your support, now maybe we can both add some positive to what has increasingly become a negative! Fingers crossed!

[BOSTON STARBUCKS REBEL]

Darleen, I wouldn't worry about all them haters out there. The other day they tried to lynch me, it was like a cunt hunt or something, I don't know. But anyway, the reason why Uncle Howie supports universal healthcare is because then Starbucks won't have to provide insurance to the partners anymore. Therefore, the profits will go up because Starbucks won't have to pay for healthcare. Oh what a devious plan, Mr. Schultz. OUTSTANDING!

[ndemystic]

Darleen,

I am out of a job and that is why I am occasionally on this sight. How do you get so much time to post? I guess I am trying to make myself feel a little better to find out what is happening out there since I am out of the loop. It is a little like group therapy. HaHa... I am a fifty five year old exbarista but before that I was a real estate agent (I am still an agent)and that obviously is no career to be in right now, unless you delight in taking advantage of the poor home owner's that are looseing there homes and you specailize in foreclosures. Watch out for those sharks! Anyway, I went to starbucks to give back to people in another way, that is to make a pleasant experience rather than be a pushy lying agent telling everyone that this is the time to buy. No one has the answer when it will be the time to buy again untill we have truly hit bottom. Back to the subject, Darleen, why are you posting so much on the site, of course, you are allowed to but remember that the partners are probably giving you good insight to how to change the store in a more positive way not just whining. You have a right to post but so does everyone else. I don't understand how you have the time if you are managing a store, though, but if you do just try to be a little more compasionate for those who are having a really rough time out there, please. Are you a manager,an assistnat manage or a shift manager just curious?

[Jake]

"if you do just try to be a little more compasionate for those who are having a really rough time out there, please."

Ndemystic -she'll probably feign umbrage and ask that your post be removed for saying "mean and nasty" things.

[ndemystic]

Sorry Darlene,

My mistake, I just started reading posts on "Starbucks Gossip," so after rereading, I realize you no longer work for the Company. Why so positive? I am positive on some things but your overall message is nothing but positive. Did you leave for a better position? I am trying to see where you are coming from? Again, just curious...

[ZakS.]

I'm a shift supervisor at my starbucks and I would like to say that within the past 5 months I have gone from enjoying my job everyday to hating it every second. Its no surprise to me that they have dropped and I think it will continue to happen because they have a lot more unhappy employees than they use to. The company has seem to stop caring about their employees and now care more about their profits. I understand that they need to be making money to stay in business, but starbucks use to be known as a place that always put their employees first. As soon as I find another job, I'm out.

[ndemystic]

Hey Jake,

Sounds like you are just trying to get your voice heard and give those who read these posts a Barista's take on their situation at hand. I don't see anything negative about discussing the conditions or situations at work. It is what it is and your posts as well as others should be read with the same respect as anyone elses. Just a positive spin on you.

[ndemystic]

Guess what? My posting on the other thread about "layoffs" got cut...
I was laid off and I was a Barista. So, obviously someone is trying to cover up the fact that there are "layoffs" at all levels. I was told that I was cut due to "shift cuts." My hours were cut and then when I asked why then I was laid off. Moderator why did you delete my post I said nothing bad or at least I didn't swear?
You should allow Barista's to discuss this so they can be prepared for new employment if it is going to happen to them in this kind of economy. I didn't even sign up for unemployment which I should probably do but there needs to be a new law about laying off workers that would include at least 2 weeks of wages at the time of being told you are cut, especially those who agree to not go to the unemployment office.

[Notorious Kelly]

I'll probably catch hell for saying this but, a barista is almost not even a job.

I'm sure people have reasons for doing it for an extended time, but I'd highly recommend this as a starter position for someone who then moves on to a position that offers more training, job skills and future employability.

I was a telephone tech/computer tech for 30 years, moving around the country at will and making a sweet living until I became disabled.

I don't know what percentage of your income is tips, but it seems like even waiting tables at a restaurant would pay better.

Please realize that my generation grew up only tipping for table service, and there are other positions (grocery cashier, gas station attendant, etc) where people do more for me as a customer and don't expect a tip. I still tip the gas pump kid a buck and they are Always very appreciative.

I don't mean this as an insult to any of you, but I hope that you move on to something better as soon as you are able.

All the best!

[Darleen]

Ndemystic -she'll probably feign umbrage and ask that your post be removed for saying "mean and nasty" things

Jake,
Do you not see how childish your post comes off? Is that an attempt at being witty? To answer Ndemystics question, I come on here for like 5-10 minutes a day, if that. Although I have a job,(GM) I'm not there 24/7 and actually still find time to get online. It's really prettty funny to see how some folks totally lose all sense of "class" on the internet. Now it's a bad thing to be positive? I think it's no wonder this company is hurting with the caliber of partners they seem to be hiring.

[Jake]

Calling people childish and other names, yet getting overly bent out of shape when someone disagrees with her posts, or heaven forbid not touting the company line? (There's a difference between being positive and being a shrill for corporate). Criticizing the calibre of partners, yet sticking up for Howard no matter what? How sad.

[Darleen]

Okay Jake,
You and I are not going to go down the road you obviously want us to go down. I'm not going to respond anymore to your posts. you are trying to provoke a fight and I'm not going there. I didn't call you childish, if you read my post I said your post came off as childish. Yes, I get bent out of shape when someone calls me a lap dog or says I'm sleeping with Howard. Just like you are obviously bent out of shape at my post to you. Thats a bit hypocritical. It's okay for you to attack me, but I can't fight back? Are you kidding me??? Believe me, I'd rather not even speak to you, so let's not even post to each other and things will be cool.

[L. Scott]

What do they expect when you have your regional vice president, northern California Roly Morris asking partners to work off the clock (for free) in an email, asking us to be "Holiday Helpers". This is what he said from his email, "When you are in our stores getting your favorite beverage, doing your last minute Christmas shopping” “introduce yourself to the store manager, assistant store manager or shift supervisor in charge at the moment and ask what you can do to help for a few minutes or a few hours. That could be bussing some tables, emptying the trash, straightening out and/or refilling the merchandise”.
Sorry Roly, but I’ve already made enough concessions to you and Starbucks, my time off will not be one of them!