hey guys, just a quick question about if I actually have a right to file a policy report against my manager. Last week I was brought to the er with a major arrythmia, and was then admitted into a cardiac unit (this was a suprise to me as i'm in my early 20's). I called my store manager when I woke up to let her know what was going on, and that I would most likely be unable to make it to work. She told me I needed to call around and find coverage. The doctors are standing around me with IVs, heart monitors, etc, telling me I'm lucky to be alive and that I'll have to stay a few days for observation. She then proceeds to call me 3 times to ask if I found coverage, tells me the whole situation is unfair to everyone else, continues to ask me if I'll make my shift later that night, and when I tell her I can't find coverage (through tears because I'm terrified at this point as to what's going on with my body) and that I might not be in for a few days, she tells me she thinks she needs to demote me (I'm a shift supervisor) and asks if that's ok so she can promote someone else. My mother went into my store a few days later to get me a beverage since it's near the hospital, and my store manager asks her TWICE if she thinks she needs to find coverage for me, or if I'll be back to work. My mom tells her TWICE i'm in bad shape and probably won't be back for a few days. WTF?
Question about partner rights
(10 posts) (8 voices)-
Posted 3 years ago #
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If what you wrote is what happened...you have full grounds for a lawsuit. That's unforgivable...
Posted 3 years ago # -
there is always two sides to a story and this account seems skewed to one side.
Posted 3 years ago # -
You manager is an a$$. Every story has two sides, but when it comes to the Grinch, it is safe to believe the worst about it.
Posted 3 years ago # -
whether there are 2 sides or not, im leaning toward their side and not the company.
stabucks sucks..they'd fire their own grandma if she didnt make fraps fast enough :|
Posted 3 years ago # -
LOL toffee! Yup, they are evil and there's no denying it. The way I was treated when I was a (semi) customer two years ago and the way I'm treated now as an employee are complete opposites. Customers gets their a$$ kissed while Sbux $hits on the baristas. I sometimes wonder if the customers knew about the way we're treated, would they boycott this evil chain? Probably not. Rich people could care less about the poor. That's why slavery was tolerated for so long.
Posted 3 years ago # -
That's definately grounds for a lawsuit of some kind. Managers are trained to used "Scare tactics" and "Stroking" (Stroking= telling workers they're doing a good job to make them less likely to complain about their job (ex: giving out "mug awards" as a way of boosting a workers attachment to Starbucks instead of giving them decent living wages.) It's all "Psychothereputic Analysis."
Dunno if that helps but thats what I saw your manager was doing from your story.Posted 3 years ago # -
@ Yes, are/were you a manager? I'd love to hear what someone who defected from Sbux has to say about the way they were trained to treat their subordinates. I wish some of them came out and told the world the truth.
Posted 3 years ago # -
If you'll allow a manager to step on the floor... I may be able to answer some of your questions.
Ollieo, first and foremost... You absolutely do have rights. However, know that Starbucks leaves certain policies regarding store operation incredibly vague for many reasons - most of them legal. There is no company policy outlining the ownership of shifts missed due to a medical emergency. For that reason you will never win any lawsuit regarding this truly unfortunate situation.
BUT, you also cannot be punished (via corrective action, demotion, or separation). You cannot be asked to produce a doctor's note (since your employer cannot legally require you to go to a doctor for financial reasons). And there can be no retaliation from your peers or management team (such verbal bullying or reduction of hours).
Should any of the above occur, you need to consult your District Manager AND the Partner Resources Support Center (PRSC). Based upon your account, you should probably go ahead and consult both of those resources regardless of your experience upon returning to the store. Your manager is bound by confidentiality and cannot discuss your performance (and yes, that does include your attendance) with anyone other than you (with exception only to their superiors). Doing so is a direct violation of the Starbucks communication model (contained in your partner guide, Operations Manual, etc.) and can be construed as harassment (which is also expressly forbidden in every resource known to barista).
Do not call the compliance hotline. Those messages goes through a third party to human resources, through your DM and down to your SM. It is a mess and will not shine a good light on you.
Do not be afraid to speak to Partner Resources. They are wonderful people who are 100% uninvolved in the situation and thus will not take sides - unlike your District Manager. They will evaluate both sides of the story and bring forth applicable policy and advice your management appropriately. In this case, they'll notify your manager that you cannot be asked to step down unless your condition prevents you from performing the various functions of your job description (which would need to be proven with a trial period). They'll also (most likely) advice your store manager to handle future situations of this nature themselves and without question - while difficult, it's just nicer and avoids the mess of distrust and hurt feelings.
Does that answer your question?
As for dragonfly and company... Starbucks explicitely states in its management training program that employees are a store manager's customers. To that effect, Starbucks entrusts its store managers to deliver legendary service to those partners. That being said, some people are kinda jerks... While STARBUCKS does not endorse or train its managers to use fear based motivation, STARbucks can quickly become (insert sm/dm/rd/rvp name)bucks. Sadly that management figure is the face of the company for every partner they interact with. The truth is it depends on who you work for and that individual works for. Your field leaders most likely (as do I admittedly) mimic the direction and voice of their superiors - which can be truly unfortunate.
I am really sorry for the way you were treated, Ollieo. Sounds like your sm was having a bad day and lost their composure. I think that was wrong. If it were you who had behaved that way toward a peer, you might have been written up for failing to uphold respect and dignity. As managers we should really be better than that. We should remodeling to you everyday the great service we expect you to give our customers. The only thing I can really say is know your resources and know you have a voice. I hope this helps.
Posted 3 years ago # -
It doesn't surprise me, this company is HELL & makes me want to blow my brains out
Posted 3 years ago #
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