Starbucks is brainwashing employees!

reply to post by drew hempel


Excellent reply I realised after a bit of time what you ment yes selling them coffee grown from feces for the people who have evrything but compassion to drink.. but watchin the vid about peepoo .com reminds me of the bible when it said we will use our own feces to grow food. nice one i pissed my self after the penny dropped

reply to post by Darth Lumina


I only agree if they are being a a pain ,that goes for well to dos with brat kids.But if a guy is just sat alone minding his nose and has bought his coffee, well then, even if he smells he can sit therein my book ,they shouldnt of took his cash in the first place or served him, if they have a policy like that in action put it on the door written like strong body odours are not welcome, Ive met sat down near clean clothed people that stink worse of the cheap perfumes masking body o dour stinking to high heaven underneath deodorant do they get ousted out aswell i say yes then

[edit on 4/3/2010 by dashar]

[edit on 4/3/2010 by dashar]

in a lot of cases, being homeless is a choice.

Originally posted by Longtimegone
***Please don't respond with, "If Starbucks goes out of buisiness because of customer complaints he is out of work." 1. This is not his career and he can find another aweful job for extra cash while he is in school. 2. I doubt the store will go out of buisness if he tells some customers to take a hike.***

[edit on 31-3-2010 by Longtimegone]

I work for Starbucks. Were someone to come in complaining about the stench of a customer, then another, then another, I'd kick 'em out, too. Why should everyone have to suffer and not enjoy their coffee because one guy wanted to hang out without bathing? But then, I'm also the guy who asks folks to put out their cigarettes or move if the smoke's blowing into our faces while we eat.

On the other hand, I've fought tooth and nail to protect a customer's rights to wear an extreme political sign on his walker while he enjoys his coffee. There have been many customers complaining, but in this case, it's not disturbing their coffee/tasty treat sensibilities, but their political ones. That I have no sympathy for. Starbucks claims political neutrality, but in this guy's case, he's been banned from all of our district's Starbucks because a few people put together a campaign to silence him.

So... Brainwashed? Nah, I don't think so. If I had to eat with someone who was reeking of BO for 15 feet, I'd complain. If I had to eat with someone wearing a "F*** Jesus" T-Shirt (it's happened. A few times...), I'd continue to enjoy my meal.

reply to post by Longtimegone


Maybe the employee has profit sharing? Maybe she wants to move up to management someday?

Considering yourself part of the company you work for does not equate to being brainwashed. It means you're part of the "team".

Just curious, but what do you do for a living?



Peace

reply to post by junglejake


You seem to be assuming that the homeless person in question smelt of BO or hadn’t washed...

Sorry, but i don’t remember the OP stating that this homeless person smelt bad!!! (sorry if i missed that)

I have known homeless people, done voluntary work for shelter in the past, and i have found that while it is undeniable to say that some homeless people do smell... some are in fact very clean.

Some of the homeless people i knew would wake up with the sunrise and head straight for the public toilets where they would wash themselves and clean their teeth every day! They would also wash their clothes in the sinks or, if they had collected enough money from begging, take their clothes to the laundrette!!

For some reason its not popular to show this side of homelessness... i think people feel much more comfortable when they dehumanise the homeless... thus detaching themselves from their plight! Sadly though, the flip side to this detachment is often discrimination!

There is so much bias and discrimination against homeless people... I think many people forget that the capitalist world we live in needs the poor in order for the rich to survive... Homeless people are often the end of the scale victims in this dog eat dog world.

reply to post by Taupin Desciple


seattletimes.nwsource.com...

Largely because of massive cost cuts including big layoffs, Starbucks' profit rose 24 percent to $391 million last fiscal year, then more than tripled during the first quarter to $241 million.

colombiareports.com...

The president of the Colombia’s National Federation of Coffee Growers, Gabriel Silva, and the agriculture minister, Andrés Felipe Arias, have confirmed that the Federation will purchase between 6 and 7 per cent of Starbucks shares valued at around USD 500 million. Such a move would convert them in the biggest shareholders and allow them to have a decisive role in the business decisions of the American company. However, would this be a sound strategy especially for the coffee growers and the Colombian coffee? According to Silva the main reason for such purchase is the influence they would have by controlling an important slice of the market demand. Starbucks is after all the largest coffee retailer with around 16,000 stores around the world. Another reason is that coffee growers would be able to share company profits. Another implicit reason would be the establishment of Colombian coffee as a premium product. These ideas make some business sense but not everyone would benefit as Mr. Silva claims.

Moreover, the retailer has announced the closure of 600 stores around the world. Starbucks business needs a major restructuring, which is why the shares have drop 75 per cent in value since late 2006, although they increased 30 per cent since Mr. Silva’s pronouncement about the deal in November. The declaration did not make a very good business sense so expecting them to restructure the business appears to be a mammoth task.

Just recently Starbucks had to close down its shop in Beijing’s Forbidden City, a China’s former imperial palace, due to public outcry. Even the materialistic Chinese area aware of this cultural imperialism.

www.workforce.com...

Employees share in the company’s growth via "Bean Stock" (stock options) of up to 14 percent of their gross pay, and a stock-investment plan allows them to buy shares of Starbucks common stock at a discount (85 percent of fair market value) through payroll deductions. The company also matches employees’ contributions to their "Future Roast" 401(k) plans, adding from 25 to 150 percent of the first 4 percent of pay, depending on length of service.

www.mhhe.com...

Employees, if they wish, can cash in one-fifth of the shares granted each succeeding year, paying the initial year’s price and receiving the current year’s price. It took five years for the shares to fully vest. Each of the shares granted in 1991 was worth $132 in October 1996; thus, an employee making $20,000 in 1991 could have cashed in the options granted in 1991 for more than $50,000 in October 1996. In 1991 when the Bean Stock program was presented to employees, Starbucks dropped the term employee and began referring to all its people as partners because everyone, including part-timers working at least 20 hours per week, was eligible for stock options after six months. At the end of fiscal year 1997, there were 8.7 million shares in outstanding options at an average exercisable price of $19.72 (which compared very favorably to the current stock price of $43.50). In 1995, Starbucks implemented an employee stock purchase plan. Eligible employees could contribute up to 10 percent of their base earnings to quarterly purchases of the company’s common stock at 85 percent of the going stock price. The total number of shares that could be issued under the plan was 4 million. After the plan’s creation, nearly 200,000 shares were issued; just over 2,500 of the 14,600 eligible employees participated.

seattletimes.nwsource.com...

Another big round of layoffs is expected at Starbucks, possibly 1,000 people — a third of its headquarters employees — and some district managers and field employees, according to an e-mail sent to a stock brokerage's customers Friday.

Initially, Schultz said he was eliminating heated breakfast sandwiches because their smell overwhelmed the aroma of coffee. Then, Starbucks decided to keep the sandwiches because it found a way to minimize the smell (by subtracting a piece of cheese).

Many fear for their jobs as the coffee chain's sales continue to slide, forcing Starbucks to close 616 U.S. stores and trim employees' hours. The Seattle coffee company slashed more than 2,000 jobs last year, including 1,000 in July that included 180 positions in Seattle. At that time, about 3,500 people worked at its headquarters. It did not disclose how many people lost jobs when it closed the U.S. stores, except to say that 300 workers from the first 50 closures were not reassigned to other locations. "They have us cornered," said one East Coast store manager who asked not to be named. "They know the economy is bad right now, and we can't afford to walk out."

www.nowpublic.com...

As of March 2009

Starbuck's - 12,000 layoffs

Further expected layoffs:

Starbucks - 6,700 layoffs

Originally posted by Muckster
reply to post by junglejake

 

You seem to be assuming that the homeless person in question smelt of BO or hadn’t washed...

I've run into both kinds as well. I was basing my argument on the smell because the OP said:

Anyway, he told me that some customers complained (about his smell)...

it used to be drunks at my work, there used to be a bar in the same plaza and people would come in drunk.

reply to post by junglejake


Oops... ok fair enough... i didn’t remember that bit and was too lazy to look it up (it was late when i replied)... please except my apology for a lazy assumption

However, i feel that my comments on dehumanising the homeless (not aimed at you but a general comment) are valid... especially when you look at some of the replies to this thread!!

It is also fair to say that because the customers claimed the guy smelled doesn’t actually prove that he did in fact smell (although i will concede that the likelihood is that he did) Often “smell” is used by people as an excuse to discriminate again homeless even when there is no smell. I have witnessed this with my own eyes!!

It seems that it is easier to say that someone smells than to admit that you find the person objectionable for whatever other reason!
But i guess we will never know unless we speak to the employee mentioned in the OP!


[edit on 6-4-2010 by Muckster]

reply to post by Muckster


I don't think that's fair. You've started with a prejudice you've perhaps seen in others or have heard about, and put it on the people involved without any evidence to support it other than other people have done it.

I had a coworker tell me the other day that all these people who disagree with what the Obama administration is doing only disagree because they're racist. When my reaction was one of, "Say what, now?" She explained to me that maybe it wasn't the reasoning for the people in the north, but the article we were talking about had a study conducted by a group with the word "Southern" in it's name. And, as we all know, every southerner is a racist. That coming from someone who lives in the most segregated city in America.

I believe this is a similar accusation. These people going to Starbucks weren't complaining about the smell of someone, but instead were uncomfortable being confronted with the realities of this world, so they complained. We can assume they were uncomfortable with being confronted with the realities of this world because they were [insert whichever group we can assume they are a part of here].

It's a tragic irony I've fallen into myself, and one I think we need to be on guard against. But, to restate what I said above, I don't think it's a fair assessment.

My girlfriend works for starbucks. She comes home everyday complaining of the mindless drones that plague her work environment. Starbucks rule is a bit rediculous with their rules.


For instance, they have a "standards" policy in which all employees or "partners" must meet or else they will be punished with a loss of hours or employment. My girlfriend does take her job very seriously and professionally even though it is a crappy go nowhere job. She works VERY hard and follows every rule by the book, yet come evaluation time she is treated as the rest of the sheep-minded people and given 1/3 on her evaluation on the basis that her store manager describes as "There is no way ANYBODY can meet starbucks standards because the standards are too high." So she dresses according to code, fakes being polite to asshole customers who treat her like she's a moronic 18 year old kid who knows nothing about life because her "partner" gave her the wrong drink to hand to them in the drive thru, yet could never possibly follow "standards"


I also have 5 cousins who also work, or have worked for starbucks, and let me tell you they certainly brainwash it's "partners". The managers like to preach "diversity and uniqueness" yet all "partners are required to have only one piercing in each ear, no facial piercings, light, light make up among females, must wear a "uniform" consisting of black or khaki pants, and a white or black collared shirt. Basically, they must all look alike. All have even been told of somebody not receiving a job because they "didn't have the starbucks look". Diversity is VERY looked down upon by management and corporate management.


My girlfriends district manager was even quoted as saying "if you want to be yourself and think for yourself, THERE's THE DOOR. When you're at work you belong to starbucks and do as the company says. If you don't like what the radio is playing, keep your mouth shut, we don't want people thinking or giving opinions here, we just want them buying coffee"



Also, i happen to be a recovering drug addict and have about a month left at a methadone clinic (go ahead and say how my statements are now void because i'm using methadone). The clinic's nurse asked me to take a vote for "new flavors" of methadone to soon be dispensed there based on the votes of the patients. I was shocked when i read the statement on the voting form when it read that "starbucks will be creating flavors and working with the pharmaceutical company who make this poison. Based on statements from my girlfriend, cousin and friends who all work there, have all stated that they believe starbucks is knowingly adding addictive and unhealthy ingredients in ALL of their products.



Gee, it's funny how starbucks has ties to pharmaceuticals that are highly addictive such as methadone. Think about it, how many people do you know or have heard make the rediculous statement of "If i don't have a starbucks by (insert given time) my day is bad". I truly believe starbucks is trying to tap into pharmaceuticals to find a cheaper easier way to get people hooked. Also according to a credible source (higher management at starbucks) mcdonalds new coffees are actually made with starbucks coffee. i smell a bit of a coffee conspiracy.


I could not find any news of the starbucks methadone flavors which is a bit shocking to me considering that would be broke and found on numerous independant news websites. can anybody else corroborate the methadone starbucks flavors so i don't seem like i'm making this up???

reply to post by Hardstepah


So far this is all I got:

www.mybiosource.com...

METHADONE antibody :: METHADONE [Monoclonal Antibody] Catalog # MBS211798 Unit / Price 0.5 mg / $375.00 + 1 FREE $5 Starbucks Gift Card

Although there are 25,000 hits on methadone and starbucks. I didn't realize methadone is now being used as a pain killer.... and there's TONS of references to starbucks as the methadone for espresso addicts. haha.

Well see what else turns up.

Starbucks gets shut down in the Forbidden City after protests:

www.thenewsroom.com...

www.tremble.com...

It was as if someone closed down a drug treatment facility for veterans and, in a gesture of apology, sent all the occupants packing with a scrip' for methadone and a Starbucks Duetto™Card.

[edit on 6-4-2010 by drew hempel]

[edit on 6-4-2010 by drew hempel]

Originally posted by Hardstepah
For instance, they have a "standards" policy in which all employees or "partners" must meet or else they will be punished with a loss of hours or employment. My girlfriend does take her job very seriously and professionally even though it is a crappy go nowhere job. She works VERY hard and follows every rule by the book, yet come evaluation time she is treated as the rest of the sheep-minded people and given 1/3 on her evaluation on the basis that her store manager describes as "There is no way ANYBODY can meet starbucks standards because the standards are too high." So she dresses according to code, fakes being polite to asshole customers who treat her like she's a moronic 18 year old kid who knows nothing about life because her "partner" gave her the wrong drink to hand to them in the drive thru, yet could never possibly follow "standards"

Quite simply, she has a lousy manager and a lousy district manager. I can say we don't have the same situation in my district. My manager seeks to give everyone equal hours.

I can empathize with your girlfriend, too. There is no chance of me moving from Barista to anything else, and am looking for (and may have found) another job as a result. However, these Starbucks standards you're talking about I'm unclear about. They do have a "Just say yes" policy, though. Losing it on a jagbag customer isn't exactly looked highly upon. That would be the case at any store, though. We do have promo drinks or whatever, that we're supposed to offer folks, and I will say, I've had a couple of people lose it on my because I asked if they wanted cherry in their mocha. I get over it, though -- it's really a sad life they live if someone asking them if they want to try something new blows their lid, and there's no point in taking it personally.

As to being "fake", though... are you polite to a cop when they pull you over, or do you swear at them and tell them you pay their salary? If you do the latter, have you ever gotten out of a ticket? In some cases, you have to swallow your pride and rise to the situation. It's not compromise, it's civilization.

www.around.com...

The Seattle coffee company known as Starbucks owns its name and, maybe, a little more. It has sued to stop a pair of coffee shops in Shanghai from using the name XINGBAKE. This is the age of globalization, after all. In Chinese, star = xing, and in a way Starbucks = Xingbake. "We came first," Xingbake's general manager said. "We can't lose." His name is Mao.

reply to post by junglejake




Sorry but that makes no sense to me...

Of course it is fair... If you have a group of people of are constantly victimised and treated as sub human it is obviously going to raise suspicions when people then make complaints again the victimised group!!

You have said...

You've started with a prejudice you've perhaps seen in others or have heard about, and put it on the people involved without any evidence to support it other than other people have done it.

When in fact what i said was...

It is also fair to say that because the customers claimed the guy smelled doesn’t actually prove that he did in fact smell (although i will concede that the likelihood is that he did) Often “smell” is used by people as an excuse to discriminate again homeless even when there is no smell. I have witnessed this with my own eyes!!

So, as you can see, all i am saying is that because they said so, doesn’t necessarily make it fact!!
How is that not a fair statement... i thought it was just a fact!! People say stuff all the time that isn’t true!!! I even went on to concede that it “probably” was true!!

Are you denying that homeless people are discriminated against?

You use the argument of Obama’s health care reforms and accusations of racism as a parallel to my thoughts... Well, think of this... most people know that it is unacceptable to use racist language in a derogatory manner.

Yet people from all walks of life will happily refer to the homeless as “hobo’s” or “tramps”

People will often refer to them as scum... i have heard of sleeping homeless people being urinated on by drunk office workers!! Beaten up by passersby and shop keepers who want them out of their doorway... People throw around derogatory comments about the homeless without any fear of reprisals...

Even on ATS i have seem homeless people insulted in this way... Bum, hobo, dead beat, derelict etc... all used on ATS without any form of warning of punishment... However... had the same people used derogatory racist insults, i am sure that some form of action would have been taken!!


Think ill leave it at that

yeah i noticed many hits comparing starbucks to a methadone clinic hahaha. however i didn't know methadone was used as a painkiller either, i was under the impression it was primarily used as a treatment drug for people who have become dependent on prescription meds and heroin or any other number of addictive drugs.


well i do know my girlfriend refers to the "standards" many times when complaining about her superiors ridiculous views on what the "standards" are.

so hear it straight from the horses mouth (no my girlfriend is pretty, she is in fact in no way shape or form a horse lol)



My girlfriend speaking from here on:



He got a little mixed up about a couple of things earlier. The "standards" he and I refer to are a term made popular by the D.M.s and managers in my area. It has actually become a kind of Starbucks slang, I suppose one could call it. I have worked for the company for 3 years now and have worked under 5 manager changes and 3 district manager changes. When my most recent manager took over our store, I was up for my review and when she sat down with me to go over the formal evaluation of the review, she explained that she never gives 3's on reviews due to the fact that anyone receiving a 3 would ultimately be surpassing Starbucks standards and quote "How could anybody surpass Starbucks standards?" The "standards" are basically just routine dress codes, making drinks according to the standard recipes, customer service, etc. However, our store is a high volume store and is very competitive. Since I have been working for the company for so long and pride myself on following these basic standards, it was kind of a slap in the face to receive an 18 cent raise after earning a decent score on my review and having always received glowing reviews in the past. (I received a 2.0 to a 2.7 in every category of the review, not a 1.) The other standards they are pushing on us at my store is having to constantly up sell pastries and VIA or beans. If we don't suggest at least one item to every car or every customer that walks up, the management can write us up. It isn't that I am not up to the task, it is just that our store is taking on the feel of that of a fast food restaurant, which I was told when I started, was an image that Starbucks wanted to stay away from as much as possible. How do they want to keep away from that image when they are making us answer the headset with a "Welcome to Starbucks. Can I interest you in a (seasonal drink) today?" as if we where McDonald's asking people if they want to try a value meal? I guess I am just a bit low on moral and frustrated with the mind-numbing Starbucks scene.

And yes, I just wanted to include that I also can equate Starbucks to the newest legal drug. I have experienced several occasions that I have had pissed off customers knocking on the drive-thru window a full hour before open and up to an hour after closing, that do not understand the concept that business hours are business hours (plus we open ten minutes early and stay open an extra ten minutes after closing).

Originally posted by Aeons
Let him in your house to dry off then.

I would
I would've bought him a cup of coffee too.

"Inasmuch as you did it not to one of
the least of these, you did it not to me."
Mathew 25: 45

This is one of the reasons why we as a people have
traded off Religious Core Values just to be Politically
Correct.

[edit on 7-4-2010 by boondock-saint]