Comments on: Starbucks Challenge FAQ http://greenlagirl.com/starbucks-challenge-faq/ Urban environmental lifestyle blog in Los Angeles Tue, 22 May 2012 01:46:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Angela http://greenlagirl.com/starbucks-challenge-faq/comment-page-1/#comment-366542 Angela Sat, 11 Oct 2008 10:54:42 +0000 http://greenlagirl.com/?p=148#comment-366542 I have worked for Starbucks for SEVEN years, on and off-- through community college, undergrad, and even after graduate school I am now back as a mere barista (non-supervisor, minimum-wage)....making more $, getting better benefits, appreciation and respect than I did as an environmental engineer, scientist, etc... In other words, I have worked at EVERY retail/hospitality/sales/customer service position since I was 15-- just to get by and now through an ivy-league graduate education in environmental science & policy: not one company, business, manager-- NONE were as focused on customer and employee satisfaction than Starbucks. Which is why I return over working as an environmental scientist again. Environmental responsibility is respecting humans, too. And as a struggling American student who was forced into horrible wages, more-than-inconvenient hours and future/always-present job insecurity by those with no regard for the law or 'moral obligations' at independent, family owned or other businesses-- I feel obligated to relay my experiences toward all of you: mostly because I am one of the baristas yelled at daily (in work and out of work by family/friends) for working for 'the man' or for supporting Starbucks' practices. Firstly, Starbucks will do anything the customer wants (within reason)-- and ultimately $ speaks louder than anything. If you truly do care about the environment, please (still) think of this 'challenge' as an exploratory test. Baristas, Supervisors and even Managers have a BILLION other things on their mind- including the customer yelling about their 'soy' latte taking too long (because we are probably understaffed due to this type of pressure), all the while double parked in an idling hybrid vehicle obstructing traffic and endangering others' lives outside our store.....ahh the irony. :) please.... there are a MILLION worse companies. Try holding a family-owned or independent coffee shop to the same fair-trade test! (Or, try on the green apron for a day and see our side for a day!! ) ;) I have worked for Starbucks for SEVEN years, on and off– through community college, undergrad, and even after graduate school I am now back as a mere barista (non-supervisor, minimum-wage)….making more $, getting better benefits, appreciation and respect than I did as an environmental engineer, scientist, etc… In other words, I have worked at EVERY retail/hospitality/sales/customer service position since I was 15– just to get by and now through an ivy-league graduate education in environmental science & policy: not one company, business, manager– NONE were as focused on customer and employee satisfaction than Starbucks. Which is why I return over working as an environmental scientist again. Environmental responsibility is respecting humans, too. And as a struggling American student who was forced into horrible wages, more-than-inconvenient hours and future/always-present job insecurity by those with no regard for the law or ‘moral obligations’ at independent, family owned or other businesses– I feel obligated to relay my experiences toward all of you: mostly because I am one of the baristas yelled at daily (in work and out of work by family/friends) for working for ‘the man’ or for supporting Starbucks’ practices. Firstly, Starbucks will do anything the customer wants (within reason)– and ultimately $ speaks louder than anything. If you truly do care about the environment, please (still) think of this ‘challenge’ as an exploratory test. Baristas, Supervisors and even Managers have a BILLION other things on their mind- including the customer yelling about their ‘soy’ latte taking too long (because we are probably understaffed due to this type of pressure), all the while double parked in an idling hybrid vehicle obstructing traffic and endangering others’ lives outside our store…..ahh the irony. :)

please…. there are a MILLION worse companies. Try holding a family-owned or independent coffee shop to the same fair-trade test! (Or, try on the green apron for a day and see our side for a day!! )

;)

]]> By: Dylan Thurston http://greenlagirl.com/starbucks-challenge-faq/comment-page-1/#comment-23459 Dylan Thurston Sun, 26 Nov 2006 16:01:41 +0000 http://greenlagirl.com/?p=148#comment-23459 I just looked at what Starbucks writes about Fair Trade coffee (http://www.starbucks.com/aboutus/StarbucksAndFairTrade.pdf) but didn't see anything about the policy you mentioned. Is it still current policy? Where can I find it on their website? Thanks! I just looked at what Starbucks writes about Fair Trade coffee (http://www.starbucks.com/aboutus/StarbucksAndFairTrade.pdf) but didn’t see anything about the policy you mentioned. Is it still current policy? Where can I find it on their website?

Thanks!

]]> By: Siel http://greenlagirl.com/starbucks-challenge-faq/comment-page-1/#comment-1457 Siel Sat, 04 Feb 2006 04:59:42 +0000 http://greenlagirl.com/?p=148#comment-1457 Hi Carl! I don't do link exchanges, but I've added skysidestudios to my blogroll and will add you if I like what I read :) Thanks for stopping by! Hi Carl! I don’t do link exchanges, but I’ve added skysidestudios to my blogroll and will add you if I like what I read :) Thanks for stopping by!

]]> By: Carl http://greenlagirl.com/starbucks-challenge-faq/comment-page-1/#comment-1455 Carl Sat, 04 Feb 2006 00:40:09 +0000 http://greenlagirl.com/?p=148#comment-1455 Hello Green LA girl, would you like to link with us - carl at skysidestudios.blogspot.com-- Hello Green LA girl, would you like to link with us – carl at skysidestudios.blogspot.com–

]]> By: green LA girl » Starbucks Challenge 3.0: Demand an answer! http://greenlagirl.com/starbucks-challenge-faq/comment-page-1/#comment-823 green LA girl » Starbucks Challenge 3.0: Demand an answer! Sat, 17 Dec 2005 01:35:00 +0000 http://greenlagirl.com/?p=148#comment-823 [...] The Starbucks Challenge FAQ. [...] [...] The Starbucks Challenge FAQ. [...]

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