Anyone who’s ever worked a job where customers are encouraged to dump their change or heck, even a wonderful dollar into a tip jar knows how coveted those tips are. That’s why Starbucks baristas are in a fight in New York to keep shift supervisors and managers out of the tip jar. The fewer people entitled to tips, the more money each barista gets after a shift serving up venti extra caramel no whip low foam frappywhatchacallits. [More]
Starbucks Baristas Trying To Keep Higher-Ups’ Grubby Paws Out Of The Tip Jar
By May 29, 2013
Three Topless Female Coffee Shop Employees Cited
By September 8, 2011
It seems that uniforms were optional at a Vietnamese coffee shop in San Jose, Calif., where three female employees were cited after they reportedly were caught serving customers while topless. Cited on suspicion of public nudity, but not arrested, the women will be forced to appear in criminal court. [More]
Lawsuit Accusing Starbucks Of Denying Tips Dismissed
By July 13, 2011
A group of former assistant managers of New York Starbucks sued the company, saying it violated state labor laws by denying them tips. A U.S. District judge stiffed the workers, dismissing the suit because they didn’t show they had the right to the gratuities. [More]
Starbucks Doesn't Care If You're In A Hurry
By October 13, 2010
In an effort to make your stay at Starbucks as long as possible, the company is telling baristas to slow down and make no more than two drinks at a time, reports the Wall Street Journal. [More]
Baristas Flash Their Hoohas At The Grab-n-Go, Get Charged With Prostitution
By September 28, 2009
We’re not at the “full body latte” stage just yet, but Grab-n-Go Espresso in Everett, Washington has apparently taken us right up to that edge with their espresso stands where baristas show skin while serving coffee. Now five Grab-n-Go baristas have been charged “with multiple counts of prostitution and violating the city’s adult entertainment ordinance.”
10 Things You May Not Know About The People Who Make Your Coffee
By April 30, 2008
Many baristas get “espresso finger,” which is when their index finger looks blackened because they’ve been leveling coffee grounds on the portafilter all day.
Starbucks Retraining Employees At 7,100 Stores Next Week
By February 20, 2008
Next Tuesday, Starbucks will close 7,100 corporate-owned stores early to implement a company-wide retraining session on how to make drinks. “The barista re-education is a ‘renewed focus on espresso standards,’ say Starbucks honchos.” We thought that’s why they bought the robot espresso machines—so they didn’t have to have trained coffee pullers anymore.
