Starbucks not protecting staff

[MummytoCSJH]

I have a close friend who works for Starbucks and is very concerned about this. Starbucks staff themselves are not allowed to speak out on this as their social media policy has been updated to prevent them mentioning or commenting abojt it and have been told in internal communications that it will be 'handled' by their comms dept and the media. Starbucks are reopening many stores across the UK however they are not providing appropriate (or any!) PPE for their staff. They are telling workers they MUST wear some form of mask (fine) but they are not providing them, workers must source their own. Workers have been told if they cannot source one they should make one from fabric or they cannot come to work - which will put many low income workers in a very difficult place. These homemade masks are obviously not going to be effective and to say they are handling food and drink I think it's disgusting that they won't provide PPE. Ovviously the bigwigs care far more about profits than people. Is there anything anyone can do about this? Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get this out there or what to do next?

Don’t go to Starbucks. Hit them in the pocket. Their coffee is shite anyway

Ovviously the bigwigs care far more about profits than people

I for one, am absolutely shocked by this statement. Also I have no doubt that this is true, but similarly you could just be working for a competitor and wanting people to not use Starbucks (it's grim anyway).

I think they should have perspex screens. The pharmacy staff don't wear masks. But if compulsory then should be provided.

I mean that with social distancing masks would not be necessary, like in shops.

Unfortunately there is no new laws enforcing the guidance in England. It is just that, guidance and it seems up to your Employer whether or not they implement it.

We don't buy from Stsrcrooks anyway. As others have said their coffee is awful and they evade paying tax.

I refuse to buy from Starbucks anyway after their virtue signalling support of Mermaids.

Supermarkets, post office staff, pharmacy staff etc are all working without PPE so I'm not sure why Starbucks would be expected to be different? I'm not saying this is ideal by any means just wondering why Starbucks is being held to a different standard? Also, pretty much every company has s social media policy which prevents employees from criticising them online so again not sure why this is considered unusual. I'm not a fan of Starbucks at all but they aren't behaving any differently to other companies.

Well let’s be realistic. Full on PPE is never going to be provided for anyone outside health care, even health care workers don’t have enough!

Any mouth covering will provide some protection, lots of Facebook local groups of selling home made cloth masks ( handy if low income, buy 1 and wash every night along with the uniform)

I’m assuming Starbucks like others will be card payment only- that removes the risk of touching cash

Keep up the hand washing

What’s the problem with them handling food? Many take aways have been open all along, they handle food. It is not currently believed Covid can be got via food, so from a customer point of view what’s the issue with them handling food.

Not sure what you what to happen really? People have to return to work, furloughed will not last forever the government will soon wind that down and full PPE is never going to happen

Well take always, supermarket staff and delivery drivers are mostly not wearing ppe. It's only take away and card payments as far as I heard so not sure they're any worse than anyone else?!

Why would they need PPE to serve takeaway coffee?

Starbucks is following US advice, not UK advice. In the US everyone is encouraged to source their own face coverings.

Agree their coffee is dire and they support a charity which advocates chemical and surgical harm of young kids. And from my experience they never seem to clean the washrooms.

Easy to vote with ones feet on this one

I will be avoiding them going forwards. knowing now how they treat their staff.
No nobody is expecting full PPE but as a pp said, if it is mandatory to wear a mask it should be provided.

I suppose I could but I have proof of internal communications stating this information which I would provide if absolutely necessary @Sandybval. I'm a student, not working at the moment. I'm genuinely just concerned about my friend who is scared to return to work on Wednesday.

@Englishgirl I have no doubt that some members of staff in other workplaces aren't wearing masks and such, however, I haven't heard they are being told it is mandatory ergo if you do not wear one you have effectively lost your job or aren't being given hours. This will hit the poorest among us. This isn't about criticising Starbucks this is about protecting not only their employees but members of the public.

@sudokubook you are joking? They could be an asymptomatic carrier, they breathe near/on your food and drink? You'd be happy with that?

Takeaway businesses have been allowed to open throughout. Starbucks chose to close, they weren’t told to. Why are they any different to any other place that’s remained open for takeaway?

Do you think staff in your local domino’s pizza or Chinese takeaway are in PPE?

Just to clarify - this is about it being mandatory (you won't be given hours if you don't source one, and if you aren't given hours you'll have to leave and find a new job because how else will you pay your bills?) and not provided, not whether I think they should be wearing a mask or not, and the fact that they have actively prevented workers from speaking out about this.

@sudokubook I don't know, and I haven't ordered a takeaway for that exact reason. As I've stated the reason I'm specifically commenting on Starbucks is because I'm worried about a close friend, who is scared about returning to work and not allowed to speak out about what his employer is doing to their staff members.

So tell him to get a face mask. Plenty of places are selling them cheap, tell him to look on Etsy.

People need to get a grip here.

If your friend is that worried she can speak to the Health England site. Presumably your friend sent you a copy without permission.

Maybe their staff can identify as having PPE, even though they don’t. And we can just all pretend they have it.

Well presumably the government will be along to clarify exactly what constitutes the new ‘Covid-secure’ workplace standard and outline the scrupulous approvals process that will be implemented for workplaces to gain this.

Oh, you mean it was a fancy sounding sound bite and there will, in fact, be no legal standard or approvals process. Well, knock me down with a feather!

Errr, yes @NickNicky. Let's just let all the low income employees fork out (if they can afford to!) and not get to the root of the problem, which is that it's expected that massive companies will just put their profits before their staff and nobody will do anything about it. Let them get away with it. That's a good plan.

@HappyHammy thanks for the info I'll pass it to him. Exactly the kind of advice I was looking for. Yep sent without permission obviously, otherwise their silencing technique would work, wouldn't it

@Rev

Well, what option do they have?

And given the mass redundancies that are going to happen I have little sympathy for someone having to spend a fiver to enable them to work.

These threads are starting to do my head in. Folk just want to moan regardless. Meanwhile, some of us have just been quietly getting on with it over the last few months.

Rev - hilarious!

I have avoided this company for a while for several reasons. This doesn't surprise me.