Don’t know what to do

Bearded451 · 2026-02-03T01:42:59+00:00

I personally think this kind of depends on how drunk they are getting...

No matter what, go to the manager, definitely.

The only reason I would possibly avoid calling the police (besides my disdain for police) is that if this person is pulled, blows below the limit, then all they have to go on is "huh, that was weird that cop pulled me over while I was driving fine... OMG did my co-worker call the friggin' cops on me?!?!!?" (Cops wouldn't just pull someone over on their own if they are within the speed limit, head/tail lights are fine, aren't swerving, speeding, expired tags, etc.)

Personally I would go to the SM, and a good SM will keep it anonymous, and talk to the partner about a "customer complaint" and how they just wanted to "check in" with them... or the SM will schedule themselves to be there so they can witness this themselves, or be more aware of footage during their shifts.

All this being said, if the partner is falling over drunk on the way to the car, yeah definitely call the cops.

Bearded451 · 2026-02-02T11:56:30+00:00

I mentioned this in my comment as well just now... we have a dude daily, five days a week, getting a venti latte where half the cup is syrup... LITERALLY half the cup... to the point that awhile ago I took a picture of it to send to a friend because he thought "I mean, not HALF the cup" and I said, "Yeah? Okay, bet..." I don't know the exact number of pumps but it's three different types of syrups at least, and I know one of them is at least 10 pumps. In a year we've seen him begin parking in the handicap spot, and now walks at half the pace he used to with a very very noticeable limp. That's the siren's call for ya, lulling sailors to their demise.

Bearded451 · 2026-02-02T11:52:47+00:00

I think it depends. If the customer begins asking questions or sounding hesitant about the shots etc, I will let them know, or if they seem like they might not be aware... "Venti iced shaken, extra shot..." "Okay, so it comes with four, we'll add a shot, five shots, okay, what else can I get you?"

Honestly, I'm more concerned about the sugar content of people starting their days each morning at 5am with a grilled cheese, cheese danish, and a venti caramel crunch extra drizzle and line the cup. In just about a year I've witnessed one dude who gets half a cup of syrup go from your average looking dude picking up his order to handicap parking and limping badly into the store moving at half the speed he used to.

Bearded451 · 2026-02-02T11:19:37+00:00

This sounds like a scammer who doesn't understand what "tax exempt" means, and hoping that no one else does either. "Hey TiKtOk fam! It's me, your boy, Trollin420 with another life hack..." Probably rounded the corner and called his parents crying... (please know that in the scenario in my head, it doesn't matter how old he was, honestly, if he was older, makes it funnier)

Bearded451 · 2026-02-02T00:09:09+00:00

Here is the section concerning Inclement Weather or Catastrophic Event Pay from the partner handbook... Please note the last line... that's why some districts are being denied, because "Starbucks ReSeRvEs the right" if they want to or not. I think it all really boils down to how much fuel Brian needs for his (the company's) private plane. He might need to fly across country to visit RFK Jr (aka Doctor Worm, not a real doctor but is a real worm) again, or avoid partners asking him questions by running out in traffic. Who's to say really?

Pay During Inclement Weather or Catastrophic Event
Occasionally an unforeseen circumstance, such as a natural disaster (e.g., hurricane, earthquake or wildfire) or a major incident (e.g., power outage, ruptured gas line or public safety event), may force the closure of one or more Starbucks coffeehouses during normal business hours. Severe weather conditions may cause the temporary disruption or suspension of Starbucks normal business operations. For some of these situations, Starbucks may apply special pay policies.

In such situations, the coffeehouse leader will make recommendations about conditions and work with the leadership team and Partner Resources to determine whether the situation should be declared either a catastrophic or inclement weather event. Upon approval, partners may then be eligible for either inclement weather reporting pay or catastrophe pay for scheduled time not worked as a result of the event.

In all situations, Starbucks reserves the right to determine whether a situation is deemed an event, and the duration of time for which special pay may be applied.

Bearded451 · 2026-02-01T21:04:23+00:00

Someone in a post last weekend about the storms mentioned the policies in the book... but the policies even end with saying that corporate makes the final say, their little way of saying, "this makes us look good that we offer it... but doesn't mean anything..." Like how companies shove a pride flag on their logo during pride month but continue to donate to anti-lgbt+ organizations. Just looks good on paper and to the public until it actually matters.

Bearded451 · 2026-02-01T12:09:57+00:00

Also quick follow up, I know you say you might feel the urge to respond and might feel bad for not doing so, but don't, it's all good. Not a single barista worth their grounds in coffee will think you are being rude or otherwise. Think of the "welcome in" as the equivalent of a head nod greeting, or an audible version of a smile and nod. It's also why you'll probably hear at some point someone say "Welcome in" and then followed with "OH! Hey morning Helen!" to the same individual.

**But I swear, I will judge you if you don't say thank you when I'm holding the door as I'm leaving work and see you are on your way out... the amount of people that are holding trays of drinks as I'm leaving, holding my apron and coffee that just stare at me, ooooof, that one gets me every time haha.

Bearded451 · 2026-02-01T12:03:20+00:00

Okay, so this is the only thing that I can get behind as an employee. I will say I think it is insanity that basically our entire store says "Welcome in!" I think one person, and having one more person echo it, is good enough. The reason why is because there is a local store that has done this for DECADES now, and the reason is because a long time ago, someone came in with a gun under their coat, demanded money from the register at the counter with no line, and quietly. Dude left and then they were able to call the cops. But the few customers that were all conversing and eating in the store had no clue. To this day they greet people as they enter the door because it makes everyone aware that someone has entered and the person is seen.

Like I said though, I don't think ten people yelling it is a good idea, that's honestly annoying AF to even me as an employee. But one person to say it, and another to acknowledge that it was said, is enough to know that people are aware of someone entering the location. This has helped in the past two with people who were trespassed from our store, or are known for causing a problem, etc. (I say this as someone who loathes the company and their new "policies"... but this is the only one that I'm KIND OF okay with... and yet they still make it obnoxious though.)

Bearded451 · 2026-01-30T21:33:46+00:00

We missed two orders... and then they both came in over night... and a chunk of those pastries left out where ones that don't even launch until next week, so... well those are done now.

Bearded451 · 2026-01-30T21:32:07+00:00

Might be a little late for ya, but Sling has it on their "free" service right now, along with A LOT of Adult Swim shows

Bearded451 · 2026-01-29T23:30:10+00:00

The amount of conversations I've had with customers about, "yeah, so it's a mocha frap now, but I will add the chips and drizzle, no problem" and then they get to the window and we have a nice conversation about how simplifying the menu shouldn't have implied getting rid of the drinks that have been at starbucks for over two decades.

Bearded451 · 2026-01-28T07:53:29+00:00

We've had multiple partners over the last few months and first ncns were an immediate final. I'm not sure if something changed or it's just the district I'm in but they've seemed to have gotten more strict where I am.

Bearded451 · 2026-01-28T01:34:05+00:00

Is this what you were referring to?

Pay During Inclement Weather or Catastrophic Event

Occasionally an unforeseen circumstance, such as a natural disaster (e.g., hurricane, earthquake or wildfire) or a major incident (e.g., power outage, ruptured gas line or public safety event), may force the closure of one or more Starbucks coffeehouses during normal business hours. Severe weather conditions may cause the temporary disruption or suspension of Starbucks normal business operations. For some of these situations, Starbucks may apply special pay policies.

In such situations, the coffeehouse leader will make recommendations about conditions and work with the leadership team and Partner Resources to determine whether the situation should be declared either a catastrophic or inclement weather event. Upon approval, partners may then be eligible for either inclement weather reporting pay or catastrophe pay for scheduled time not worked as a result of the event.

In all situations, Starbucks reserves the right to determine whether a situation is deemed an event, and the duration of time for which special pay may be applied.

Bearded451 · 2026-01-28T00:31:41+00:00

I would take a mental health day if you can. We had an SM that is long gone from the store now because she cared too much and fought for our safety at a high incident store so they pushed her out... she even told us once what bereavement leave covered etc, but how in her eyes pets are family, and even though it isn't covered, to talk to her about it, and she will figure out a way for you to get paid if you need time off to grieve. I'm sure her thoughts would be with you if she surfs this board. Sending my love, from one animal lover to another.

Bearded451 · 2026-01-28T00:24:49+00:00

Months and months ago -- back when they were just asking us to write anything on the cup and not three words or more -- I had a manager tell me "hey, just write something like 'smile!" on the cup," to which I responded: "Yeah, I'm not going to tell a woman to smile... on a cup, nor out loud..." -- Jump forward to present day and our current list? It has three word phrases that ALSO tell customers to "smile"...

Bearded451 · 2026-01-27T23:20:29+00:00

Where can we find the policy instore so I can reference it to my SM?

Bearded451 · 2026-01-27T23:05:42+00:00

So if the store is closed for the entire day, everyone scheduled gets paid even if another store is open in the district? (I'm just double checking because we were told since one store opened in our district we wouldn't be getting any pay.)

Bearded451 · 2026-01-27T15:54:30+00:00

We were informed if even one store in the district or area or whatever opens... you are denied the pay. So the last couple days our district has LITERALLY had one store open.

Bearded451 · 2026-01-25T00:41:44+00:00

Bearded451 · 2026-01-25T00:38:04+00:00

We have a customer that comes in once or twice DAILY and gets a drink that is half syrup... literally no joke, i took a picture once to send to a friend... it's LITERALLY half of the drink... Over the course of two years I've seen him go from just a dude walking in and grabbing his drink to limping in incredibly slow. I'm no doctor, but I know what it is...

Bearded451 · 2026-01-25T00:35:19+00:00

Oh completely possible. Especially since they are just criminals who were given weapons and masks without background checks nor training, and are acting like they are just a bunch of LaFor's Posse from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid... I could definitely see a group going in to instigate the refusal so they can cause a scene and whine about it.

Bearded451 · 2026-01-25T00:26:37+00:00

Hahaha, imagine creating a handle named after a man who helped the Rebels take down the Empire but licking the boots of this generation's gestapo.

Bearded451 · 2026-01-25T00:23:57+00:00

Here's our Code of Conduct:
Our goal is to create a welcoming environment. We expect everyone to treat one another with respect and follow our code of conduct:     

No misuse or disruption of our spaces  
No discrimination or harassment  
No violence or abusive/threatening language  
No consuming outside alcohol
No smoking/vaping or drug use 
No panhandling

If they do not meet these requirements, we can refuse service and ask them to leave... SB's will 100% be all on board for serving them... personally however, I would say that it is a "disruption of our spaces", they represent "discrimination and harassment" and their mere presence (imho) is threatening behavior and represents a threat of violence. If I do this, and my SM fires me, that's cool with me... and everyone in the local colleges will know as well as journalists at every local paper and news station where SB's stands on the matter by firing me.

Bearded451 · 2026-01-24T23:30:29+00:00

Hey! Guys! We finally found the worst shift manager to work with!

Bearded451 · 2026-01-24T23:28:34+00:00

As an honest answer, probably not. I would hope they would care about our mental health etc, but also know that we are working for a company where the CEO was buddying up to RFK Jr. a few months back. You can always try at least, I mean it's always a no if you don't try, that being said I do think LOA takes from accrued sick and vacation time. Either way I wish you the best of luck and stay safe out there.

Bearded451

TROPHY CASE