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Starbucks Baristas Say The Culture Is Changing

Treat yourself to a Caramel Macchiato or a Chai Latte with Soy Milk and pull up a chair. It's a Starbucks type of morning.

First, in a story that MSNBC tops with the headline, "Starbucks Employees Say Work Has Lost Its Buzz," Reuters' Lisa Baertlein reports that the company that built its reputation as the anti-McDonald's may be in the first stages of a culture change that "could strike at the heart of what makes Starbucks Starbucks: that warm, fuzzy feeling stemming from its original commitments to the global community as well as its own healthy, happy staffers who provide service with a smile."

Perks are being cut. Corporate efficiency tools like scheduling software are being implemented. Healthcare costs are rising for employees. Ye gads, corporate is pushing profitability (and succeeding, if quarterlies released yesterday -- a "whopping" 86% profit gain -- be any guide).

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Starbucks also announced a plan to give bonuses to 100,000 employees around the world. Nevertheless, Baertlein writes that two dozen current and former baristas and managers confirm the sense that the economic downturn and two-year overhaul spearheaded by re-enthroned CEO Howard Schultz are transforming the company into one that is increasingly pragmatic and corporate.

For its part, Starbucks says it's just as committed to it workers as ever, and one store manager tells Baertlein that employees are just defensive and dislike change. "There are people who used to be successful who aren't or can't be anymore."

Read the whole story at MSNBC/Reuters, Seattle Times »

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