A mom asks: How does Starbucks help employees after robberies?

The woman wrote in another thread here: "My daughter was robbed at gunpoint in Cincinnati recently while working at Starbucks. Does Starbucks compensate and help these partners who have suffered a violent crime? What I have seen and heard thus far says no. It's business as usual, irregardless of the human component." (I suspect she's referring to this robbery.) Does anyone in the know have information to pass along? (Free counseling, etc.)

Comments

[Harrar]

They do help. There are up to three free counseling sessions available through Magellan EAP. If they are enrolled in health benefits further counseling is available through their mental health well being benefits. I believe they are also eligible to be compensated for one shift. My store was robbed at gunpoint and we had one mandatory counseling session with my DM and the partners who were present during the robbery, and it was open to any other partners who wanted to take advantage of the counseling option.

[slaw275]

The DM has actually been trying to get shifts covered for a partner who wants to take some time off. I think everyone is doing the best they can with this so far.

[javagirl666]

She needs to reach out to the Employee Assistance Program. I am close to this situation, and I can promise you, no one is acting as if its "business as usual".

[spence]

Somewhere in the deep recesses of my mind, I remember signing up for a $1 a week donation to "The Cup" which offers financial aid to partners during unusual circumstances. Can they apply to the cup fund?

[nada]

i know this is serious, but really? irregardless?

sigh.

[drive]

A New York City store was robbed at gunpoint in the late 1990s. The guy was hiding in the basement after hours. Fortunately, no employees were physically injured. Nothing at all was done to help these employees. It was completely "business as usual."

[CM33]

The CUP Fund is there to help partners cover costs of counselling or whatever they need. They just need to ask for it.

[AustinBarista]

@nada: don't feel bad, I was thinking the same thing.

[Starbuckers, Inc.]

@nada, me too.

PSA: Irrespective is a real word. So is regardless. Irregardless is the illegitimate bastard spawn of the two.

[Barista Ben]

Something similar to this happened to a store near me. Starbucks went above and beyond, I felt. They even had me go to the counseling and talk it through even though at the time of the event I wasn't even working, it wasn't my store, but because I am a partner they wanted to make sure I was ok as well.

I honestly felt they did more then I might have expected. Like *everything* it all depends on your leadership team.

[baristamclane]

The CUP fund, to my knowledge is to be used in circumstances of financial need due to an unforseen event (IE, a barista's spouse died, and that barista has depleted all of their funds and stock shares to pay for funeral expenses, or a partner's family was displaced due to a natural disaster). While you can certainly apply for the fund, I doubt that in the event of the robbery you would be able to receive funds, unless you have encountered a significant financial loss from it.

Many years back a former SM was shot and killed by her boyfriend, and even though she had left the company prior to her death, counseling was made available and encouraged by our DM and Partner Resources Rep. I suppose it varies by district and region, but if the partners are not receiving support at the district level, they should contact the Benefits hotline to find out what is available.

[Hipsterdufus]

To get CUP funds, you don't have to encounter 'significant' financial loss. You do need some sort of document financial loss, be it a bills for the therapy you are now going to as a result of the robbery or such.

I had a partner who got a cup fund pay out to have his wisdom teeth pulled.

[Savemyfish]

I used to live by the Starbucks in cincy that got robbed and was a little surprised that it got robbed. I drove past that night and saw a news truck in the gas station parking lot across the street. I really thought the gas station got held up, which led me to think...

Why would anyone rob a Starbucks at night? Is there a substantial amount of cash? It seems, to me a non starbucks employee, that it wouldnt't be that much - especially compared to a gas station.

Glad to hear that nobody got hurt!

[mike]

Yes, I agree that this is totally starbucks responsiblity to get this girl counseling, at least a good 3-5 years. They need to pay her too, at least for 2-3 years. And they need to hire a security guard for the store and install more cameras. I bet they did not even hire a private eye to go looking for the gunman.
They are such a heartless company. This girls life was ruined and they will not do anything. Imagine her poor mother who should probably get a new car so she can go see her daughter....Come on starbucks---give a little back.

I remember my first job as a manager---I was in High School, working a part time job and I was the "boss" at a ice cream shop. Well, one day this lady told me that there was BEES out by the trash can and if someone gets bite by the BEE'S she was going to sue. I told her I would attempt to do something but, where does liability end....If I am walking by your house and a Bee bites me----are you responsible...

People need to step up and handle more on their own!

[Tyler Jacob]

@ Savemyfish.....YOUR DUMB

[newbie no more (was sbuxnewbie)]

If employees are injured or traumatized by an event while working, and need assistance, they need to file Workers' Compensation claims.

Psychological counseling is included in WC benefits.

[Marin]

Unfortunetly, Starbucks has little that they "require" SMs or DMs do in this type of incedent. My store was robbed when I was an ASM and we were lucky to have a DM who really made sure we knew what was availible to us and help in whatever way he could. (He came and coved the supervisors shift for us.) But really Starbucks kinda just says, hey... call yourself and move on. Sad. One of the many reasons I have since moved on.

[J]

They don't really help at all in my area. A shift supervisor I know from another store was recently robbed at gunpoint. Apparently the situation was not handled well at all by the SM or DM. The supervisor and barista who it happened to were expected to come in the next day and close the store by themselves; basically nothing was done about it. She actually transferred stores because of it.

[sfvsl]

I don't work at Starbucks, however at one point in my life I worked at a movie theater and I had a gun pulled on me by a crazy. (He didn't even want money..which is worse,because I didn't know how to appease him)

My work only gave me an "hour off" to calm down. I quit my job obviously. So *anything* starbucks does in a smiliar situation is an improvement

[AB]

Talk to a lawyer, not the internet.

[Amanda]

A couple of years or so ago, a man was shot and killed in a large parking lot near where I live. His truck ended up stopping on the concrete right outside of Starbucks. The body was hanging out of the truck when the baristas looked out the window and remained there until the crime folks hauled it away. That particular store called in a counselor for their folks. Friends who worked there thought they went above and beyond. I think like someone said above, it all depends on your leadership team.

[Andrew]

I can't help and comment by adding that Magellan EAP is standard practice in any medium or large corporation. Corporations that do not offer mental health assistance for their employees tend to catch a lot of flak for this and the Magellan EAP should not have to be utilized due to issues that have occurred on the clock. If an employee has dealt with any job-related emotional distress such as harassment, robbery or any similar trauma the company should be held responsible for ensuring the well-being of their employees. You may not find this as often as it is the ideal sitation although Starbucks clearly works hard to "market" that they care for their partners. Now it's time to show it - going above and beyond. Ya know, legendary service. You guys still have that over there?