What is the Project?

Starbucks has always said they are a company committed to those who work for them. It’s why they insist on calling everyone “Partners”. In recent times, the company’s profits having been increasing, while morale in stores is only going down due to insufficient labour, lack of support from leadership at all levels, and overall prioritizing of profits over people; the very foundation that made Starbucks a Third Place.

The goal with this project is the hope that by sharing stories from Partners, perhaps the company might start to recognize their shortfalls. In my personal opinion, there is no fundamental need for unions if the employer just treats their staff with respect and decency, yet more and more stores unionize as the Company continues to prioritize profits over people. There is a disconnect between upper management and those who work in the stores, and the goal of this project is to break down that disconnect and share with the world what it really means to be a Starbucks Partner in this day and age.

Who’s Behind the Project?

Hi! That’s a great question.

For the anonymity reasons stated on the disclosures page, nobody, myself included, will be named on this website. However I will provide some background: I’m a now 7 year Partner from Ontario, Canada. I’ve worked in 5 different stores and worked roles such as a barista, shift supervisor, and store manager and have operated in both the licensed and company-operated worlds. I’m also a Coffee Master who has previously attended the Origin Experience at Hacienda Alsacia in Costa Rica. I’ve met many retail and non-retail partners through the years, which has given me perspectives in to the company at many levels in many places.

I love working for Starbucks, I really do, but if they want to continue expecting the world from their Partners, they should actively do what it takes to support them, not just a raise here or there when the going gets tough.