Baristas Deserve 11 Hours of Rest Between Shifts!

Submit a story and picture of a Starbucks barista/partner you know, or send one of yourself!

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"Clopening" is inhumane!

Workers are not machines that can be worked without sleep and rest! What a cruel irony that a business whose principal product helps you wake up, would subject their employees to sleep deprivation (infamous as a form of torture). My spouse and cousin used to be Starbucks baristas and I have heard their many accounts of grueling conditions, inadequate breaks, denial of workers' compensation for injuries such as severe burns, etc. The company should clean up its act if it wants more customers!

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Starbucks, Lack of Labor is Killing Morale

The labor situation has gone from tight to infuriating. Labor has been cut so much in corporate stores, that one call-off (an employee calling in sick) impacts the entire day, as managers are directed to cut shifts to save on labor costs. Baristas trying to work more than 25 hours a week (myself included) find that a near impossible task. You end up taking it personally, when corporate directs your stores to understaff, and under schedule. You wonder if they realize how difficult it is to...

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I Don’t Have a Favorite Barista

I have been a loyal customer at Starbucks for several years (I’m guessing at least ten years). I don’t have a favorite Barista. You know why? They are always too busy to talk no matter matter where I go. 

The drinks are consistently good. I like the greeting I receive when I enter/order at any Starbucks and the personalized service. These barista’s are great and no matter how long the line is, I am in out fairly quickly. 

They all work hard and I believe eleven hours between shifts is not too much to ask.

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Happy Customer

My favorite barista is Casper Webs from the St. Louis area. 

He is one of the most courteous baristas I have ever encountered. Although quiet in nature, he is very outgoing and is extremely hard working. He always has a smile on his face and makes my morning. I am disappointed when he is not working the drive thru as he seems to make my day. 

He is my favorite barista and deserves an award for all that he does. 

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Bad Schedules at Starbucks

Starbucks employees deserve to have stable schedules with enough time between shifts that they don’t get into car accidents on the way to their jobs, due to lack of sleep. The way Starbucks schedules are now, people cannot take a class or go to scheduled doctor appointments or even schedule daycare for their children. There is no good reason, on Starbucks part, for doing this.

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Golden Rule For All

I have visited Starbucks in various locations in California. I can truly say that all of the baristas whom I have met provided great service. They have all been friendly, courteous and pleasant. They are, indeed, the backbone and integral part of the business. Therefore, there is no reason for Starbucks to treat them any less than true partners. It is important to always remember the golden rule: treat others the same way as you would like them to treat you!! I hope that the CEO and the management of Starbucks take note and follow the golden rule. It would certainly be a win win situation for everyone!!

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If Things Change

“I used to go to Starbucks everyday to get my morning fix. Everyone there was nice and efficient. But honestly, I haven’t been going as much anymore because I wonder too much about whether the person at the counter is able to rest enough or make her/his bills. Coffee is pretty expensive at Starbucks, so I’m sure that they have the finances to treat their workers better. If I hear things change at Starbucks, I may come back to my regular coffee routine. 

In the meantime, bringing coffee from home it is… “

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Starbucks Baristas

“I go to Starbucks 6 days a week for my cup of decaf. Many times when I get up to the counter, the barista has my coffee ready.  I really appreciate this.  

I notice how they call people by their names. I always enjoy the camaraderie there and always sit at the long table in the middle of the shop.  I call one of the baristas The Giggler because I always get her to giggle.”

- Joe G.

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From Coffee Shops to Retail, Clopens Are The Same

“I do not frequent Starbucks as often as I would like because of finances and my closest one was closed..  It is my special treat when I need a pick-me-up or to celebrate some accomplishment. 

Though never having worked at Starbucks, I have done retail and know the demands that working with the public place on a person.  All of my experiences have been positive.  My hope is that Starbucks will recognize and respond to the need to end the practice of having a barista open and close back-to-back.  This is not the sort of practice I can condone.  Until such time that there is a resolution, I will not be visiting Starbucks and will invite my friends, especially those who are regular customers to do the same.”

- Monica

[thebostonprep]

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“I went to Starbucks everyday (sometimes more than once a day – a bit of a habit I guess) and knew all the folks at two of my local Starbucks.  I saw the issue come up regarding lack of time off between shifts and asked one of the employees about it.  They told me in confidence that they had been put in that situation at least every other week if not more and that it was really hard to be enthused about the job because of that.  Since then I have stopped going to Starbuck in order to protest this, that is some serious money going to Starbucks competitors until they change this policy.”

- Michael

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Captain

I don't frequent Starbucks that often due to my budget constraints and access to free and lower cost Cuban coffees at my place of employment in the Miami area. When I do decide to treat myself at Starbucks, it would be nice to know that I can do so with a clear consciousness, knowing my server is being treated with respect by their employer. I plan on striking up conversations with them to see if they are having this problem and take my business elsewhere or not do business at all. Thank you in advance for your consideration...

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Becca at Starbucks in the outlet mall in Hershey, PA

It's hard to pick a favorite, since all the people who work there are friendly, smiling and helpful, but I've known Becca for the longest. She has never failed to offer a personal word and to smile. I know too that she is the mother of a beautiful young daughter and she needs her time off to take care of her child. Don't make Becca do these crazy shifts and make it harder to tend to Lily.

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Praise for Beth in Leesburg, Virginia

“My favorite barista is Beth at East Market Street in Leesburg, Virginia. That is because she is very courteous helpful and informative. This also applies to the staff at Edwards Ferry Starbucks in Leesburg, Virginia. 

All these people are very helpful and considerate."

- Pam from Leesburg, Viriginia

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An Extension of My Family

“All the Starbucks I have frequented through the years have always made it a point to know my name and what my normal drink is! There have been times when I have gone to get an espresso just to hang out for a bit in the store and say hi! 

 They all know my health issues and are always genuinely curious about how I’m doing - it’s kinda like an extension of my family!”

- story submitted by Julie

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Help us end clopens at Starbucks, once and for all!

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Starbucks baristas, or partners, work hard for you. It’s time to help them out by ending clopens at Starbucks.

Will you join us in signing the petition? It takes 2 minutes, and could impact thousands of baristas across the country.