I never thought I would say this but "I am finally starting to not enjoy working for Starbucks."
Lately, there have been a few instances where several partners have gone to the manager of my store to complain about petty things that the shift supervisors are doing. Things ranging from reprimanding them when they (the baristas) are cursing on the floor infront of customers, to beginning the pre-close of the store at a period of downtime which may be earlier than management wants. However, most of us Shift Supervisor's feel that we are beginning the pre-close process at a time when the store as a team (baristas and shift supervisors) are likely to be most productive. I understand that the managers don't want us to walk in the door and rush to see how fast we can get out of the door, however we are also under a lot of pressure to get everything that needs to be done completed and have the store reset for the morning crew with only one hour of time.
The one hour of time is an unrealistic goal, however we've figured out ways to get it done quicker and more efficiently, unfortunately that means beginning earlier and moving quicker. These items have combined to make me believe that those individuals that I work with are not just tattle tales who are looking to get someone in trouble but they are fools because it would make more sense if they were trying to climb the company ladder and be promoted but these are people who are comfortable in their positions as baristas.
We have all the responsibility of managers but none of the rewards. Every new promotion or change in way of business for us results in another task being tacked on to the shift supervisor role on a daily basis. However, we are not compensated for these additional roles which we take on. When they wanted us to grind coffee fresh every morning they added an additional person, now they have removed that person adn expect 2 people to do the work of 3 people.
I realize that this is only a job, however it was one which I was intensely passionate about and truly felt like no matter what anyone said, it would always be a special opportunity that I was able to experience. Now, everyday that I go to work, I contemplate how I would be able to leave and come back one day.
Lately, there have been a few instances where several partners have gone to the manager of my store to complain about petty things that the shift supervisors are doing. Things ranging from reprimanding them when they (the baristas) are cursing on the floor infront of customers, to beginning the pre-close of the store at a period of downtime which may be earlier than management wants. However, most of us Shift Supervisor's feel that we are beginning the pre-close process at a time when the store as a team (baristas and shift supervisors) are likely to be most productive. I understand that the managers don't want us to walk in the door and rush to see how fast we can get out of the door, however we are also under a lot of pressure to get everything that needs to be done completed and have the store reset for the morning crew with only one hour of time.
The one hour of time is an unrealistic goal, however we've figured out ways to get it done quicker and more efficiently, unfortunately that means beginning earlier and moving quicker. These items have combined to make me believe that those individuals that I work with are not just tattle tales who are looking to get someone in trouble but they are fools because it would make more sense if they were trying to climb the company ladder and be promoted but these are people who are comfortable in their positions as baristas.
We have all the responsibility of managers but none of the rewards. Every new promotion or change in way of business for us results in another task being tacked on to the shift supervisor role on a daily basis. However, we are not compensated for these additional roles which we take on. When they wanted us to grind coffee fresh every morning they added an additional person, now they have removed that person adn expect 2 people to do the work of 3 people.
I realize that this is only a job, however it was one which I was intensely passionate about and truly felt like no matter what anyone said, it would always be a special opportunity that I was able to experience. Now, everyday that I go to work, I contemplate how I would be able to leave and come back one day.
Labels: Starbucks
posted by Christopher at 6/10/2008 02:33:00 AM
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