Weekend OPEN THREAD: Your chance to comment or ask questions

Anything Starbucks-related is open for discussion. Keep the conversation civil, please; no personal attacks. || Jump to the third page of comments.

Comments

[Sara]

Gotta love the new cutbacks at Starbucks. I'm really sick because I've worked the last 5 days in a row with little sleep (thanks to close-opens!) And I can't find a single shift in the entire district to cover my shift Saturday morning because they'll either hit overtime OR are already working at their store. I covered 2 people's shifts at my store this week and they can't even help me out. Ugh. I just needed to vent. Thanks Seattle for cutting back on everyone's hours and cutting back on labor so when I need shift coverage, I can't get it.

[NOTFIREDYET]

i dont meet the optimal scheduling guidelines (available 3x/week or 16hrs), but i'm not fired yet?

WHAT GIVES?

[Me]

Let's try to make that a bit more fun this weekend. Less bitching.

April Foolsday is coming soon. Does anyone have some good ideas what kind of funny partner pranks could be done? I'm talking about funny things, not wasting tons of material or making it impossible to work for fellow partners.
Things like turning the menus upside down the night before etc.

Any other ideas anyone?

[MrWho]

Sara - At my store, we call close-opens "clopens". I don't fully understand the scheduling system, but a clopening really should be forbidden in the computer, or at least corrected by your SM when he finalizes the schedule. Doesn't s/he care about you? Have you said anything?

[(former) FLA SM]

I want to once more say "thanks" to everyone on this site who has been supportive of me. Things are looking good. I've had plenty of interviews and some second interviews, and fully expect to be employed within the next 10 days. It's possible I may have to choose which offer to accept!

Question regarding severance payouts: to anyone who has received one, how long did it take? I've heard some have been one month and some took longer. Has anyone received theirs sooner? I'm keeping a countdown until I get mine. (One week today since I mailed back my acceptance.)

One advantage to being unemployed right now: plenty of time for March Madness!!!

[Erica]

I am really sorry about store closings and layoffs. I was very worried for a couple of weeks but luckily I got transfered!

[Badgers]

(former) FLA SM,

Too bad there are not more Florida teams in for you to watch. I think the noles will lose their first game as well.

[NYSM]

You must have at least 8 hours from close shift to the next days shift. If you are closing then opening, your SM is breaking policy and labor laws. I always look at the schedule to make sure this doesn't happen to my team. Sometimes there is a miss, however I rearrange their schedules or get the shift covered, because I would NEVER make a partner clopen. Ever!! When I was a SS, my SM did that to me all the time and I hated it!

[Claire]

RE: clopens - you might want to check some store manuals, but i think it's illegal for a manger to schedule someone for a clopen unless she has agreed to it prior to the schedule being posted. (there have to be 8 hours between shifts, i think, unless it's otherwise agreed upon. i'll check into it.)

on another note - has anyone heard about minimum hour requirements for shift supervisors with the new "optimized scheduling"? 27-32 hrs per week? and we also have to be available for opens and/or closes? what happens if you're a reliable ss who can't increase to that many hours?

[Louisiana]

are we getting laptops soon????

[All good things...]

they're starting the optimal scheduling layoffs at my store next week. I was told it was gonna be done by not officially firing anyone, but by just not scheduling them at all 'till they quit, so Starbucks doesn't get hit with a wave of unemployment claims. Anyone else hear this? I know of, so far, two people who're gonna be let off the schedule, maybe more. I'm expecting to be. I don't quite hit the desired availability and I've never gotten along with the manager (She's a right b*, and I've never been good with hearing "don't take it personal, that just the kinda person she is" as an excuse for someone who treats people horribly.) I've been with Starbucks for a year, at two stores, and while my time here may have had its ups and downs and I don't know how it will end, I do have to say I've loved every shift and barista I've worked with.

[lovessoylattes]

Sara,

Your manager should not be scheduling you close opens. This is inconsiderate and irresponsible--a lack of proper staffing etc.. on their part. I am a manager and I know that it is not necessary to schedule that way. It really upsets me that managers don't put the time and effort into their schedule that they put into their own schedule for the week. I always think of my partners first--maybe this is because I started as a barista and know how it feels. I don't know.. I just know managers shouldn't and don't have to schedule this way.

[Bouncing Barista]

And now for something completely different...

So when I used to close all the time, we would set up the timers to all go off at the same time about five minutes after the openers arrived, but we would hide them in places, so they had to go hunting for them...

Good times...

[spence]

Once a partner put espresso pods on a plate covered with caramel sauce and set them in the pastry case just before I came in.
Sure enough, within a few minutes a customer asked what the new brownies were. I told him I didn't know and didn't even have a tag, I would charge him for a brownie if he wanted one. He did. Just as the customer was raising it to his lips, the other barista leaped halfway across the counter and knocked it out of his hand.
Lucky for us all, the customer was a regular and also had a good laugh at how I was fooled.
I would not reccommend putting these in the food case but leaving them as partner samples. That's what I'm going to do.

[Sara]

LOL i did the timer thing too! thanks everyone for your comments, the reason i did a "clopen" was to cover another shift's close and I need the hours so I made the decision to open the next morning because I couldn't find someone to cover my shift that morning. And I never found someone to cover my shift tomorrow so guess who's opening at 5:30am with a 102 fever and just got back from the ER! yay. I'm not complaining, don't get me wrong. That paycheck will look fantastic next week. Its okay though, I have 3 days off (sun, mon, tues) so I can sleep and get better.

My manager feels awful and she tried soooo hard to find me a cover but she ran into the same problem I did, she couldn't find anyone! Everyone is either on vacation, will hit overtime or is working at their store. I guess now is not the time to get sick! Luckily, I'll just drink a boatload of tea and pray 1:15pm comes quickly!

[g]

I don't need a manual to tell me that closing and then turning around and opening is wrong. It is against Starbucks policy and managers who are doing this intentionally should not be managers in the first place.

It is possible for managers to miss this if someone is scheduled to close on a Sunday night and then open on Monday morning, however, ALS now shows when this occurs when you exit the system. So really there is no excuse for managers to miss this anymore.

As far as supervisors not being able to find coverage:

I am a barista. I've had to run a couple of shifts recently because of a lack of shift supervisors in my store. All it takes is for one SS to call in sick now and we're left supervisor-less.

[(former) FLA SM]

Regarding scheduling people with no hours so they quit.... It probably varies from state to state, but it's my understanding that if you begin to receive zero hours or significantly fewer hours than you're used to, you can file for unemployment even if you are still employed. They pay for the difference between what you get now and what you used to get. Also, if you quit because you've been scheduled zero hours regularly, you can still probably get unemployment. Odds are, Starbucks will contest it, but you can appeal and should win.
(I'm not a lawyer, nor do I play one on TV.)

[CardShark]

Hi all...

I posted this the other week on the open thread, but didn't get a response so I thought I would post it again. I am going to England soon and wanted to pick up a Starbucks card there, bring it back and reload it here. Can I do that, or do I have to find a way to get an unactivated card to bring back. In my store in the US I have some customers with international cards that they reload and I was wondering how they do it. Do they not have a currency indicator on the magnetic stripe, or is that updatable?

Thanks!

[A different me]

I also did the timer thing. However, i set them all a few minutes apart so it was a continuous string of timers. Just as they found one, the next would go off. Good times!

[Longtime SBUX Fan]

@Sara - sweetie, if you have a 102 temp you need to stay home and get better. Not only for yourself, but for the guests who visit your store. I don't know what they told you at the ER, but if you have that kind of temp you're probably contagious, and you shouldn't be preparing consumables or interacting closely with the public. Stay home and get better!

[whyoutsidevendors?]

So...anybody noticed anything with facilities? Ours has been on "vacation" for about a month now...Another broken promise from howie?

[Amanda]

Ok, WHAT is the deal on refills? Is it only before 1 hour? Only after 1 hour? Not at all? Quit changing the stupid rules!

Random, but I'm so lost!

[(former)dmanagerla]

a good place to hide timers is inside the paper towel dispensers... really makes them search! :)

[Venti Urnex Latte]

To the people who think it is funny to do pranks, please GROW UP.
Not everyone shares such a juvenile sense of humor or agrees that pranks in the workplace are fun, cute or appropriate. Others must waste time and energy cleaning up after you. There is a risk of injury. You could get fired or arrested.
Suppose someone actually ate that stupid fake brownie and choked? So it's fun to turn the menu upside down in order to make someone else get up on the big ladder and turn it right side up? Or to ignore the customers while people chase after hidden timers?
I will never understand why grownups think such actions in the workplace are even partly acceptable. GROW UP.

[Costa Rica Trip Cancelled]

Anyone hear how Starbucks screwed the passionate partners who applied for the Costa Rica trip to work on coffee farms side by side with the farmers? From what I'm reading on V2V, the partners were told that they would be getting their acceptance notifications today. Instead, every one of them got the following e-mail....

Dear partner,

Thank you for taking the time to apply for the Earthwatch Partner Trip. Your passion and commitment to Starbucks and our Shared Planet commitment is inspiring.

As you know, we are all being asked to look hard at our priorities during these challenging times. After much consideration, and in partnership with the Earthwatch Institute, we’ve made the difficult decision to not move forward with the Earthwatch Expedition this year. The current economic climate has affected us all, and we believe this is the best decision for the company at the moment.

Please know that we are committed to and enthusiastic about our work with Earthwatch and will continue to support our current project and the coffee farmers we’re working with in Costa Rica. Earthwatch is an important part of our Shared Planet commitment and remains a valued partner.

We hope to schedule a conference call with all of you who are interested in learning more about our Earthwatch project in Costa Rica. Keep up the great work in your store and community, and we hope to offer other exciting opportunities in the future.

Regards,

Ben Packard

vp, Global Responsibility

That totally sucks! The partners, god bless them, are posting that they understand the reasoning behind the decision and support it, but are with good reason very upset that they werent informed of the decision earlier rather than have Starbucks make them wait till their selection date.

Im not surprised though, respect and dignity went out the window a long time ago.

[nycsm]

@ Venti Urnex Latte

relax.

[lattegal]

Sara - Yes, stay home. Your SM will have to fill in for you. If you have a 102 temp you don't want to be at work preparing food/drinks. As a customer I'd be quite upset if I found out someone that sick was preparing my order.

Costa Rica Trip Cancelled - My comment would be...Thank you Starbucks for making the right decision and canceling this. I know it's a bummer for those who were going to go but we are all making sacrifices due to this economy issue. I actually think it is a positive respect and dignity issue. People in the store are working hard...look at Sara...she's sick and she can't even find a replacement for her shift. Crews are stretched and most Baristas are feeling the pressure of being understaffed, and overworked. So to have a few people not be able to go on a trip...well that doesn't bother me in the least.

[Ryan (SS)]

Card Shark,
You should be able to just load a card in a foreign country, use the balance, and then bring it back and reload it here. I've done this in Canada (where the currency conversion rate is fairly simple), AND in Germany and France. However, in other countries they often require you to load 15 or 20 dollars (or Pounds) on the card for a purchase. Worth it if you're staying in the country for about a week anyway!

[lattegal]

The fake brownie joke is pretty funny. But I wouldn't have put it in the pastry case. I had someone pull that on me and they had actually put whip cream on it with a little caramel drizzle. It was so funny....

[SPORK]

@Venti Urnex Latte:

I am SO glad I don't work with you. I know very well that half of my partners would quit if we didn't find ways to perk ourselves up around 9:30 pm or 5am, especially when they're dealing with partners/customers like you.

[Bouncing Barista]

@Venti Urnex Latte:

One, grown ups? Do you notice that there are stores being RUN (the managers) by people in their early twenties...and most of the partners are teens to early twenties...

and two...wow, bitter party of one? If you know everyone in the workplace would get a laugh...because you work with them, and you guys joke around with eachother...then yeah, I think it is cool...don't do it to someone you don't know, but to someone who you know will die laughing in the morning because it is ridiculously early and their manager set up timers to go off at random intervals...and normally they think their manager is stick up the butt serious, but then she went and pulled a prank like that...not harmful, just good laughs...then I think it is ok.

[redcup]

do you think that the spirit of the new orleans conference still alive within the company, within your stores? we all were pretty pumped up leaving that city (albeit slightly hung over)

or has it all been money down the drain?

[Refillme20xin1day]

Amanda,
I just updated my partners on the REFILL policy. All of the following information is taken from the 2008 POS Resource manual.
Coffee & Tea Refills
Customers may purchase refills of coffee, iced coffee, tea, and iced tea WHILE IN THE STORE. The customer is charged the refill price for each refill. Gold Cards DO NOT give free refills. Registered Starbucks Cards DO give free refills.

We give so many bogus refills @ my store and I looked at the profits we were losing. (you know the people who come in at 5am for a venti coffee and return day after day with the same moldy cup for a refill, GROSS!)

10 drip refills $5.40
10 Venti Coffees $21.20

Big difference, huh?

And if that cup is filled with mold or if you have to replace the cup, it is no longer considered a refill. (I use the cup discount though, to appease)

Good luck implementing! It is our duty to uphold this as part of Shared Planet.

[Anon's Anon]

g - not having a shift on the floor is a BIG NO NO. Your SM has to come in, even if s/he isn't in uniform. You can't give keys to someone who hasn't had a background check. That = instant unemployment.

red cup - yeah, I was PUMPED after new orleans... but I think we can declare that conference a bust. CONFIRMED.

[Closed Stores]

I have a question. I was in Louisana and visited Lakeside Mall to pick up a shirt. I knew there was a Starbucks in the mall (visited many times when I was in town).

I was disappointed to see it closed. I checked the closed list from July and noticed it was not on the closed list.

Was this closing part of the 200 they are additionally closing? Are they going to publish a list of those stores? Does anyone know which 200 are closing. Why is this such a BIG secret. Like I won't find out when I go to one that was in a location and not there anymore.

Can anyone help? Thanks!

[WeekendWarrior]

i dont meet the optimal scheduling requirements, yet my mgr hasnt mentioned anything to me about being let go. infact, i'm scheduled for the end of March.

i only work weekends @ 5.5hrs each (11hrs total). i dont like forced to take a unpaid 30min lunch.

i'm scheduled for march 28/29 weekend.

So i guess the mgr has some say in who doesnt get fired?

[jesus]

WeekendWarrior - would you rather take an unpaid 30min lunch or take an unpaid entire life? just because your SM likes you, doesn't mean your DM does, and they are the ones with the final say. increase to 6 hours on the weekends, take a lunch, and you'll be fine.

[EvanstonIL]

April Fools Day Ideas:

Get food coloring pellets (found at your local grocery store) they are similar to the little pellets you use to color easter eggs. (not liquid)
Then, unscrew the tips of the faucets in the store, and put a pellet in, then screw it back on. In the morning, when they come in, they will turn on the water, at it will run bright red, blue etc. But not hurt anything or anyone. The pellet will dissolve within 5 minutes.

[me]

If someone comes in and works with a 102 fever I will inform my SM and DM. If they approve of thism partner working I will contact public health. Don't just think coverage. Please keep your fellow partners and customers heath in mind, too.

Working with a high fever or contagious illness is WRONG and in most if not all jurisdictions ILLEGAL.

Your SM can't make you work if you are sick. They can't even make you find coverage for yourself. Call in sick, stay at home, let others worry about the coverage.

This is what SMs and DMs are there for.

Thank you!

[inopethflames]

anybody know what the new frappucinno flavors will be and when they will come out? hopefully you'll be able to get these in latte form also.

[Freed Peaberry]

My favorite prank ever.

Take 19 Post-it's and number them to 20, leaving one number missing and hide them through the store. I hid them where customers couuldn't find them in case the team wasn't able to get them all. The best part is the missing mumber will have them baffled.

I also wrote little bits to encourage and show my love for my co-workers.

Oh the good days when people liked their jobs...

[SBUX Alum Bill]

Here's an interesting analysis from Slate on the current state of affairs at Starbucks:

The state of Starbucks

[Sara]

Thanks everyone for your comments! :) I woke up this morning feeling much better and luckily, I had a voice and wasn't running a fever! I know I shouldn't have worked yesterday with my fever BUT there was NO coverage. My DM told my SM she wasn't allowed to work overtime even if she didn't clock the hours worked. She tried everything. I actually like "clopens" because then I can setup the store the night before the way I want it for the morning so I can have a good open! :) We have some SS at my store who don't know how to close sometimes! We weren't busy this morning so I didn't get stressed out like yesterday!

Friday morning rush with a line out the door + not having grande/venti hot lids (the closing SS the night before didn't get us some to make it till Saturday morning :( )= 1 unhappy SS and a barista that burst into tears because customers were yelling at us for being "unprepared" when I called every store in the district to get more hot lids and not being able to have anyone pick them up OR drop them off because I'm the only person on the floor who has a car and I can't leave (a huge majority of my partners ride the bus to work).

Thank goodness this morning's rush was quiet and our customers were nice to us! :)

[toffeenut]

I was wondering if any other stores are doing something for World Water Day? What is it even about?

Refill Policy - From what I gather, the "hot tea" refill is really just a hot water refill and not another tea bag. And hot water is free....so...has anyone had any success explaining this to customers? Alot of people at my store just ring a coffee refill and give them whatever teabag they want to save the anger.

[Just swallow]

Sara, thank you for being a big girl, taking a venti straw and sucking it up. Now, just swallow.

[Ron]

I use to go to the commons starbucks every morning now maybe once a week. I bring my own coffee when I go to meet my friends.Why should I wait on a long line for bad coffee and bad service. Starbucks is not what it was.

[Kelly]

Sara- In regards to your DM telling your SM that s/he cannot work overtime. This is why a SM is salaried. They do not clock in or out and are expected to stay until the job is done, REGARDLESS!!! No where does it say that the managers work week ends at 40 hours. ASM yes but not managers, or DM's for that matter. I feel bad that your DM does not believe that the manager should support the team to his/her utmost ability. I will always go in to help the team that is what Starbucks is about.

I also really like the post-it idea!! It is fun easy and if no one wants to participate they can function without chaos. :)

[mrbean]

Has anyone heard of any stores not using the ClickSan sink detergent anymore? I'm talking about that blue sink detergent for the "wash" sink.

My manager informed me that we will no longer be purchasing it, and from now on should just rinse or soak/scrub in hot water and put it in the dishmachine.

I understand the dishmachine sanitizes and has its own detergent, but the sink detergent is so useful in getting stuff like milk residue off steaming pitchers, and now things like plexis that we don't put in the machine to prevent them from breaking won't ever touch soap but they said it's ok because as long as it's put in the sanitizer solution it's fine.

Any thoughts? I told a SS I thought this was a bad idea and she said "It doesn't really matter what we think." Also, apparently we're the last store in the whole district that still uses sink detergent.

[It]

HEALTH BENEFITS

What happens to them when one gets laid off? How long do they last until they no longer work?

Anyone?

[Jokesonyou]

Mrbean - the click san detergent is expensive and not really necessary unless your hobart breaks down. We have been instructed not to use it in my district, and my store has not used it in over two years.

Speaking of april fools jokes, I thought of a good one. I plan to hand all of my partners a sealed envelope containing instructions on where they need to be in order to get a drug test!!! The reactions should be priceless.