Bri Cassara
November 4, 2009
Starbucks: The Appeal that Hooks Us
Starbucks is a global phenomenon. Not only is it the sole provider of “luxurious” coffee, it is well known for its generous treatment of Starbuck’s employees. These employees, who are referred to as “partners”, are rewarded by benefits such as health care and stock options. In addition to these large benefits partners are give one free pound of coffee per week, free drinks during shifts, 30% off discount at all Starbucks stores, and a “perks card” that allows discounts at numerous places such as 24 hour-fitness and a variety of restaurants. As a high school student I was beyond grateful to get hired by a company that offered so much to me as a seventeen year old. My starting pay was $.40 over minimum wage and I received a $.84 raise after six months, a habit that continues every six months after that. By July of 2009 I was making $9.45/hour as an eighteen year old. If I had liked, I could’ve participated in company stock options as well as other long-term investments.
Partners my age were working 30 to 35 hour weeks at the same pay, focusing on work while going to school part-time (Schlosser 70, 80). Soon, they are promoted to a shift supervisor and are required to work longer shifts and fulfill additional job tasks and attending school seems even less attractive than before. Cutting back hours could mean losing seniority in scheduling and quitting means giving up health and dental insurance. My 30-year-old store manager was working full-time while taking part-time classes in law and my assistant manager was working full-time while balancing biology classes for her future job as a registered nurse. Both have been taking college courses for years, only able to take a few units per semester. Soon, a job that seemed like an excellent opportunity traps you for being able to achieve your own personal American Dream (Schlosser 13; Shipler 5).
Work Cited
Schlosser, Eric. Fast Food Nation. New York: Harper Perennial, 2005.
Shipler, David K. The Working Poor Invisible in America. New York: Vintage, 2005.
No comments:
Post a Comment