Take Advantage of Starbucks Partner Hours for More Work Shifts

Taking Advantage of Starbucks Partner Hours

As a Starbucks barista, getting enough hours can sometimes be a struggle. With labor cuts and budget restrictions, hour allotments have become more limited for many partners. However, there is a little-known option that can provide partners with more opportunities to pick up additional shifts - partner hours.

What are Starbucks Partner Hours?

Starbucks partner hours allow baristas to claim open shifts at Starbucks stores other than their home store. By utilizing partner hours, partners can pick up extra shifts when their own store does not have enough labor budgeted. This provides partners with more opportunities to get the hours they need or want.

Many baristas are unaware of the partner hours option because it is not widely advertised or discussed. However, this valuable tool is available for any partner to use. All it takes is checking the schedule app for nearby stores to see if they have any open shifts.

Why You Should Take Advantage of Partner Hours

There are several great reasons to pick up partner hours whenever you can:

• Get more hours - Partner hours allow you to pick up shifts when your home store schedule is light. This is a great way to supplement your income.
• Explore different stores - Picking up hours at another location lets you meet new partners and see how different stores operate.
• Learn new skills - You can pick up shifts in positions you don't normally work to expand your skills.
• Pick up coveted shifts - Some stores may have weekend, closing or opening shifts that you rarely get at your own store.
• Cover call-outs - Your store benefits when you pick up call-out shifts at other locations.

As you can see, using partner hours is advantageous for both partners and stores. It's a flexible way to get more work time in while helping out other locations.

How to Find and Claim Partner Hours

Taking advantage of extra hours through partner hours is easy to do once you know the process:

1. Check the schedule app for nearby stores - You can search for stores within a certain radius of your location.
2. Look for open shifts - Scan the schedule for any published shifts that are still available.
3. Tap on an open shift - Select the shift to see details like time, location and position.
4. Claim the shift - Request the shift through the app and await approval.
5. Get schedule confirmation - Once approved, the shift will appear on your schedule.

Be sure to give yourself enough notice to have time request and receive confirmation for any partner hours shifts you claim. And only claim shifts that you know you can work - you don't want to risk any attendance issues down the line.

Partner Hour Positions and Pay

You can pick up just about any open shift through partner hours as long as you are trained for that position. Some of the most common options include:

• Barista
• Shift supervisor
• Order support
• Customer support
• Drive thru
• Cold bar

Your base pay rate will remain the same for any partner hours shifts you work. Any applicable differentials, like weekend or night rate, will also apply. Mileage reimbursement is provided if you travel to a store outside your market to work partner hours.

Partnering with Other Stores

The key to making the most of Starbucks partner hours is building connections with other stores. Get to know the managers and schedules of locations near your home store. Reach out when your store has extra hours to offer or needs support. Fostering relationships with neighboring stores leads to more mutually beneficial partner hour shift coverage.

You may find there are a few stores that you frequently trade partner hours with. Keep the managers at those stores updated on when you have availability for pickup shifts. Become known as a reliable partner who will show up when scheduled at other locations.

Partner hours only work when it's a two-way street. Be as accommodating as possible when claiming shifts at other stores. Avoid calling out or showing up late when working partner hours. You want to be seen as an asset to any store you help out.

Maximizing Your Schedule with Partner Hours

With some creative scheduling, you can use partner hours to string together enough shifts to meet your hourly needs. Some tips include:

• Claim shifts that bookend your own store's schedule. For example, pick up an opening shift before your mid shift and a preclosing shift after.
• Look for a full weekend schedule by grabbing shifts on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
• Watch for stores that frequently have openings and be ready to pick up their extra shifts.
• Partner with friends who work at other locations and swap partner hours shifts.

The more diligent and proactive you are, the easier it will be to maximize your hours through partner hours. Don't limit yourself to just your own store's schedule.

Partnering for Success

At the end of the day, partner hours are all about living up to Starbucks' name. By partnering with other stores to mutually share hours, everyone wins. You're able to work more while helping other locations with their staffing needs.

Too often partner hours go underutilized, leaving hours unclaimed every week. You now have the knowledge to take advantage of this valuable benefit. So go forth, partner, and work those extra shifts!

FAQs

What are Starbucks partner hours?

Starbucks partner hours allow baristas to pick up open shifts at Starbucks stores other than their home store. This gives partners more opportunities to get hours when their own store's schedule is limited.

How do I find and claim partner hours shifts?

Use the Starbucks schedule app to search for nearby stores and look for open shifts. Select a shift to view details, then request it through the app. Once approved, the shift will appear on your schedule.

Can I pick up any type of shift through partner hours?

You can claim any open shift that you're trained for, including barista, shift supervisor, customer support and more. Your base pay rate remains the same no matter what position you work.