Numerous individuals have made a habit of stopping by Starbucks on a daily basis. In the United States of America and elsewhere, coffee is a beverage that millions of people rely on to get them out of bed and ready to go to work in the morning. Because of this, the announcement that Starbucks, which is one of the most successful coffee shops in the United States and throughout the world, will be shutting sixteen of its stores owing to safety concerns is a significant piece of news.
Instead of addressing the issue, the firm has made the decision to close its doors in response to the growing number of safety concerns that have been raised in a number of places across the United States of America. Within the next several months, locations in a number of cities, including Los Angeles, Portland, Philadelphia, Seattle, and Washington, District of Columbia, will be going out of business.
Debbie Stroud and Denise Nelson, who are both senior vice presidents of operations in the United States, wrote a message to Starbucks partners in which they discussed safety and the steps that stores may take to ensure that their establishments continue to be a secure environment for customers to come. According to the following, the letter was published on the website of Starbucks:
“You have been open and honest with us about your experience, from the things you require to feel your best at work to the numerous examples that are both inspirational and meaningful of how you are creating unforgettable experiences for one another and for our clients. In addition, you get the opportunity to witness directly the difficulties that our communities are confronted with, including personal safety, racism, a lack of access to healthcare, a growing mental health crisis, escalating drug usage, and other issues. Due to the fact that we have stores in hundreds of towns around the country, we are aware that similar difficulties can occasionally manifest themselves within our own stores as well. Each and every event report that you submit is read by us; it’s a lot.
“We want you to know that creating a safe, welcoming, and kind third place is our top priority,” the letter reads. “We want you to know that we are committed…” We are unable to function as partners if we do not initially have a sense of security in our place of employment. What is currently going through our minds is the question, “How can we continue to be there for our communities while also protecting our partners?”
Additionally, Stroud and Nelson noted that they want to include “robust safety training for all partners, including things like how to de-escalate situations, training for active shooters, training for mental health first aid, and our upcoming store training in August.”
In addition, the letter from Starbucks provided an overview of the company’s “clear policies and procedures,” which included the following: “our Third Place Policy, the procedure for addressing disruptive behaviors, when to call 911, how to engage local community resources or social services to support customers in need, protest preparedness, customer restriction procedures, and more.”
At the end of the letter, it is said that “We hear the challenges that you are facing in stores, and we all have a lot more to still figure out – but we know that we will get there because YOU have shown us, time and time again, that our stores can be a place of hope, optimism, and community for all.” As we move forward, we will continue to learn together and give frequent updates on the progress that has been made on this significant project.
I’m curious to know your thoughts on Starbucks. In their coffee shops, do you feel like you are safe?