Barista: They got rid of my Starbucks break room and I'm really mad!

What do you think of this barista's screed that was posted on Gawker? Here's an excerpt:

"Upper management decided that we did not need a break room anymore, and if we wanted, we could sit in the cafe with the customers, but we were not welcome to eat and relax in the one space we previously had. Unfortunately, our cafe is always fun [full?] of customers. We literally have no where to sit. Have you ever worked an eight hour shift at a low wage, thankless job? Sometimes, you just need to sit for a few minutes."

Discuss this or anything else Starbucks-related in the OPEN THREAD.

Comments

[Macchiato]

Break...room? What is this break room thing? Neither of the stores I've ever worked in has had one. Both stores are busy, with limited cafe space (just six tables in my old store!). If it's nice out, I go outside. If it's not, I deal. I've never had the luxury of doing otherwise.

[mark]

I understand the desire to "get away" from it all when at work - especially if you're very busy. I don't know the solution for this, but her situation is understandable.

Now, I don't have a breakroom either, must maintain an open door policy, am on call 24/7, every day of the week, and a still reachable by phone on vacation. But that's what clergy do.

I try to get away at starbucks... (except everyone knows that's where I go!) ;)

[Starbucks Gossip webmaster]

The baristas at the Evanston Starbucks stores I go to do their "breaking" in the cafe.

[robobarista]

Does anyone know if partners at the stores in SEA and PDX were given a bump in pay when they when to the evening beer/wine
program? Seems like much more responsibility...

[Beerista]

There is no bump in pay and it is not that different than any other store. A few extra things to sell and stock and you have to pay closer attention to the customers. It's not this huge deal people are making it out to be.

[Rawr]

I just sat in my car on my breaks...

[JP]

Every store I have worked at has a work area in the back. Not a break room. Usually enough room for a desk and then tons of shelving. This has to be a franchise situation since company stores never seem to have a dedicated break area.

[Billhelm mctavish]

I get the sadness at losing a perk, but why does she mention that they are "college graduates" and artists? High school grads don't deserve a break room?

[hipsterdufus]

I've never worked at a store with a break room and I've worked in 7 stores.

[Joe]

Read the article people:

"Today, I walked into our back room which is also our break room."

She's just referring to the back room and desk area. Just like all of your stores, there's no separate break room.

[hearbutloud]

I never have any desire to remain in the store (in any location) on a break. Get outside and walk around, go for a drive, go next door (surely you're not isolated in a parking lot somewhere).

[Martha]

I kind of regret clicking on the link to read the story, as I then got stuck in the awful, AWFUL comments posted. *shudder*

We have a break room (officially) and many also take their breaks on the floor. The only benefit I see over having a break room (at our store) is that you can bitch about customers in private. ;)

[Jeff]

I am going to cry about that.. I bet there is another 4bucks across the dtreet you can work at.......

[I.Heart.Spirit]

What did they do with the space?

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Previous stores I've worked in I would either go out to my car, sit outside, or sit at the desk.

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In the barista's defense, for those saying there isn't a breakroom area, my current store has enough space in our backroom that we do have a large foldout table and chairs to make a nice little partner area.

[lattelady]

Do I do in my store...lock yourself in the bathroom for awhile!! Run the hand dryer for a bit and you can have total peace and be left alone for awhile!!

[Barista From the Same Area]

To clarify, she was speaking about her back room. Most Starbucks allow partners to have their break in the back room at the desk or at an extra table and chair. The Area has made the decision to not allow partners to have their breaks in the back room any more, or keep or consume any food or beverage of any kind in the back room.

[Frenchie]

Yes, unfortunately the "the 10" is not what it should be...a break to relax and get off your feet and have a beverage maybe...in most stores, they make you stand in line to get a drink which by that time your break is over. And, yes, most times the cafe is full and you don't want to take up space a customer might need...outside is an option if weather permits. Most businesses I know of allow 15 mins for breaks which is a little more realistic, especially when alot of times you have been on the floor without a break for 4 or more hours. But, it is what it is and I guess you bear it or leave it, right?

[Waltie]

A "10" is exactly what it sounds like: ten paid minutes where you don't have to work. What you do with it is up to you. If you want to wait in line for a drink that's your decision. Personally, I think you should be able to sit in the backroom if there's a chair available that nobody's using. If the higher ups said I couldn't, I'd certainly question why and assert my right to sit in back, away from customers.

If this is true, it's certainly a poor decision by management. However, it's also one that makes zero sense (why take away space from the customers?), so it leads me to believe there's something this barista either didn't understand or is not telling us.

[medevacs]

You had a break room? Lucky you, for three years I had worked in a store which doesn't have even a staff toilet.

[Toby]

"The Area has made the decision to not allow partners to have their breaks in the back room any more, or keep or consume any food or beverage of any kind in the back room."

Sounds like the partners have lost the break area because they are misusing it. Partners like to use the area like a buffet and have food out all the time. So that's where they gather around when a customers not at the register. A lot of bad decisions are made and customers either have to wait for the barista to finish eating or finish their conversation.

[JWow50]

You've got it pretty good if this is a problem for you. Wonder how many computers/televisions/smartphones this person owns while working their thankless job.

[Chris]

Seriously though most places should have a proper place for employees to stop, sit and relax during their break time. Sometimes you get a 30min break and you can't sit because of all the customers. It gets hard for an 8hour shift.

[norespect]

Funny thing is, this was done on Partner Appreciation Day. Where food and drinks or little things are brought in for the partners as a way of saying thank you, we appreciate you. Good way of showing your partners you are appreciated. All stores in the area were told this. No food or drinks in the back room. Many partners bring food from home and heat them up in the back room to eat for their meals. One partner regularly eats fish for their dinner. Imagine that warmed up and have the partner sitting at the only open table right in front of the store. Hmm... I am in Starbucks and it smells like fish. For the store in the story, the lobby is that full pretty much all day. There is no seating left in the lobby for a partner to sit and enjoy their lunch. Since it is always busy many customers will wonder why this partner is not working the line and sitting on his "lazy" butt. Never caring that they are on their break or lunch.

[I.Heart.Spirit]

@norespect

Yeah, customers would think they were brewing French Roast that day; don't want to confuse them!

Ha.

[goaway]

it's a break.
go AWAY from the store.
to get a BREAK from the store.

It's my office.
and what benefit is it for me to have my office smell like fish?
Go to your a 3rd place.
not your first to have your third.

It's mostly likely that you didn't know how to keep your area clean. which in fact is my area. It's is very likely that you left not only your stinky fish bones, but also your partner bev on top of a review, or my PnL or the CML. and now you have to pay.

Suck it up butter cup and go to the damn food court.

[I.Heart.Spirit]

@goaway

Your post was so hostile it makes it seem like those are conditions you experience. It also seems you could use some organizational skills if those things are just laying around so carelessly on the desk.

[sbuxlifer]

I seem to remember a policy that stated your ten didn't actually begin counting down until you receive your partner beverage, but now I can't find that policy anywhere! Does anyone know if this is outdated, or maybe just a myth to begin with?

[javagirl666]

Partner Appreciation Day?? Missed that one. Your 10 doesn't start until after youve waited in line and received your drink. A DM in my area just had to remove 2 truckloads of misc. furniture and whatnot out of a "breakroom" in my area.

[L.]

Canadian barista here. I was told and have lived by and enforced the rule that your 15 minute break starts when you take off your apron when you leave the floor. It's never included plus the time waiting in line for a drink. If you take more than 15 minutes, you need a good reason, ie: talking to the boss, sick or honestly forgot, and even then it's commented on if it becomes a regular thing.
Also, I guess I'm lucky. In both stores I've worked in, there's been an area in the back, either by supplies or at the desk, to eat at/hangout. Sometimes the office area are off limits due to meetings, where you sit at the other space or go to the cafe. If none of those options are available, you stand, 8 hours on your feet or not.

[H]

How many people posting here have actually worked in entry-level customer service positions like that of a Starbucks barista? Because after 4 hours of dealing with dozens of people in a fast-paced environment, I feel that most would need some quiet time away from customers to decompress before heading back into the madness. Everyone deals with things differently, some need time off their feet and in solitude, not a walk around the block... especially if you've just spent 4 or 6 hours on your feet.
The replies that say "sit in your car" "go to your other third place, this is MY third place" definitely reek of privilege.
And as for "jwow50"'s comment on wondering how many TV's/smartphones the employee has; The Point. You Have Missed It.