Okay, so I am going to try to describe my problem without directly saying exactly which store I work at for reasons which will become obvious.
I'm so over my store manager. She is self-centered, a bully, and completely un-empathetic. She will schedule baristas with her who she knows are skilled enough that she won't have to do anything but sit on the computer. Even when we're slammed, she will rarely help. She artificially keeps labor allowances low by using only one POS, when we really should have both going, solely for the purpose of being able to use scheduling as a weapon. She short-schedules us so we are constantly understaffed. She handles tips, and on the occasions she does tips, someone's always comes up short. (This never happens when the shifts do them). When personal or health crises pop up in partners' lives, she acts like its OUR fault for inconveniencing her. And God forbid you request a transfer, because then you can expect the sh!tt!est schedule until the transfer goes through.
We have an unbelievable turn-over rate and have lost some truly amazing baristas and shifts because of her. She pits partner against partner, and will refuse to schedule two partners together if she knows they get along well. It's almost as if she wants to keep tensions high, because it's a crime or something to enjoy working. I know that at least in theory, the company wants to ensure that partners have relaxed working conditions to help "create inspired moments in each person's day, one cup at a time" but we can't do that when we're constantly stressed out.
I love being a barista, I love the regulars at my store, and I love my team. I don't know what to do. I'm afraid that if I talk to my DM or Area Manager, there will be retaliation (even though it's against policy). What should I do? Any advice would be helpful!