sneaky sneaky sneaky Big Brother at Starbucks

Wow, this seems like it should have been handled earlier by local management. If the rules were never enforced it could have created confusion as to what the rules actually were. Warnings before cameras and official investigations would seem to have been more sensible. Of course, we don't have all of the details but this seems extreme.

Seems to me that given the fact that the employees were denied union and legal representation, AAFES has "some 'splainin' to do". I'm boycotting the Belvoir Starbucks. Would boycott AAFES, but they have their tendrils into everything.

I hate to tell you, but interviews conducted by an employer are considered a discussion between employer and employee. Miranda rights are not in effect as the person is not being charged with a crime. As for union representation, that is based on the union charter with the employer. Some require union representation, others don't. The double standard on policy can be an issue depending upon how it is conveyed to the employees and who they actually work for. Typically employees sign a meal policy upon employment or as policy is updated. If the employee didn't follow it, it can be construed as an offense that is terminatible.

This doesn't seem to be a very balanced article - you talk about the person with the $3.75 tab but don't discuss the $13K tab - that seems like a lot of coffee and probably warrented action.

Why has AAFES changed there food policy twice now.
Ist it was the same at the 1st of the year as it had been for years.
The middle of January they came out with a food grazing policy
Janury 31st they came out with a completely new food policy.
A little late don't you think,after everyone is let go.
Now the broom on belvior is hitting the "PX Exchange" and letting people go
same witch hunt.
From what i understand they are in the garden shop now.
LOOKS TO ME THERE FINDING AWAY TO CUT COST !!!!!
GET RID OF THE OLDER EMPLOYEES WITH BENIFITS AND WHO ARE PAID MORE TOO BRING IN NEW EMPLOYEES LOWERING THERE OVERHEAD.
I THOUGHT AAFES WAS ALL ABOUT THE SOLDIERS TO HELP THEM OUT!
Instead it seems the real overhead costs are the higher ups making over 6-figures
a year.
How much is really left afterwards?
How much of there profit is left to help the soliders?
I know there prices are high,so who realy gets the profit when all is said and done.
The system needs to be looked into,it too has gotten out of hand.
concerned for the solider's they put there life on hand everyday
and the AAFES higher ups get richer!

Bottom line Affes is wrong!!!...as a union steward...I know there are at least 9 violations, and every employee has the right to have representation when dealing with management and if they dont allow it weingarten rights can be invoked.

It amazes me that everybody has so much to say and drawing opinions based on an article with data given by employees that were terminated. Are you serious? You don't think ANYONE did anything wrong? It doesn't matter if it's one coffee or 100 coffees, theft is theft. Is a sin worse if you do it once or more than once? Bottom line is you were wrong regardless of the amount and if any of would really think, what person that has been fired wouldn't scream "whoa is me?" Be real.

I know someone who worked at a Cigar Shop, since closed, that was located in the same shopping area as the Starbucks in Ft. Belvoir. This person told me that AAFES was extremely nit-picky with rules that changed many times a year, after one of the myriad inspections by AAFES. This person managed the store himself and reported only to the owner and AAFES. He gave me the impression that AAFES is a wasteful bureacracy that has "make work" inspections for its many inspectiors. By the way, he was paid under the table under mimimum wage and the owner reported no taxes on him. So, he did all the work, and the owner and AAFES split the profits. AAFES let this happen, then terminates a Starbucks employee over $3.75. Quite hyprocritical.

After reading this as a consumer I well stay away from starbucks and if eveybody does this they will be out of business.

This Starbucks store is a licensed concept on an Army Post and not directly managed by Starbucks management. Rather, AAFES is the corporate big brother. Starbucks does not treat its employees this unfairly.

MAKE UP YOUR MIND STARBUCKS BECAUSE OF THIS MY COMPANY OF OVER 500 EMPLOYESS ARE BOYCOTING YOUR PRODUCT YOU ARE NOT BEEING FAIR WHY DONT YOU CHECK YOUR ENTIRE COMPANY EMPLOYEE STAFF AND I BET YOUR SUPERVISORS AND KEY MANAGEMENT STAFF ARE THE WORST CULPRITS, WHAT A BUNCH OF HIPOCRITES YOU CEO IS WAOO HE PROBABLY FED HIS FAMILY ON STARBUCKS NOW YOU PIC ON THIS POOR WOMAN. GOOD RIDDENS TO YOU.

FYI...Anyone look at Waffle House...I worked there for about 4 months 2 yrs ago. They pay just over $2 an hour and auto dock you every 3 hours for eating even if you don't. I would get a paycheck for less than $10. All the employees work for tips basically. Their policy is that everyone eats on the job so they take it out of your check.

I split my habit between Caribou and Starbucks.........Where else did Satrbucks have the cameras?, in the restrooms perhaps?. So long Starbucks, Hellooooooo Caibou!.

I think Starbucks had better re-hire Stacy McDonald ASAP and beg her freakin' forgiveness! WTH is this world coming to? Isn't it against the law to videotape personnel w/o them knowing about it? Even if it isn't it's really LOW! Starbucks should be so lucky to have such devoted employees. I will never frequent another location unless I hear a reversal of these low handed scuzzy practices. Starbucks shoudl be featured on the "Horrible Bosses" show! Really, a little compassion people! Andrea

Boycot Starbucks...Greedy and sneaky...

I worked at a licensed Starbucks a while back, and although Starbucks offers one free beverage while working a shift, the store did not allow us any.
It honestly seems as if AAFES is in the wrong on this, as if the rules about its employees basically drinking as much brewed coffee, tea and fountain soda as they want while working changed, the employees should've been notified immediately. Once being notified, if they continued to drink however much they wanted, then I would understand terminating them.

If AAFES leaders had an issue with all the employees then I feel they were obligated to find out if the employees understood the policy. My son was only working there for 2.5 months/3 days per week after school and got caught up in his mess. The irony is, I told him to get a part time job after school so I could keep him busy and away from trouble. This is AAFES regulation on Principles of Discipline; Maintenance of discipline will be achieved, to the maximum extent possible, through cooperation, fairness, good supervisory practices, and adherence to reasonable standards of conduct. (2) Supervisors should, when appropriate, admonish and counsel employees as the first step in constructive discipline to prevent breaches of regulation and standards of conduct and to prevent repetition of offenses. Ref AR 215–8/AFI 34–211(I) • 30 July 2008. It is my understanding that all these employees have previously had outstanding performance evaluations. The replacements were hired before the investigation was done. If there is theft over $5000 the police and CID would be involve-- this did not happen. My son asked to talk to me before the investigation and he was denied that right. When I understood what was going on I called to talk to him and was told I should not worry. This is crazy...Im waiting for AAFES to make their decision then go from there.

after reading this my goal is to get rid of starbucks. If nobody buys from their locations anymore they will fall. could not get any simplier.

It's the same old Golden Rule Hypocricy. Those who have the gold ,make the rules, change the rules or simply rule. The rest of us are simply grist for the mill. It's only wrong if you get caught and are guilty of insufficient resources to mount a cogent defense against an equally unethical but better financed prosecution. Might makes right.

I would love to hear more about the case that had $13,000 of 'stolen merchandise'. $3.75 though? Money drawers can be off by that much on a daily basis in anything from a stupid mistake to a coupon mistake in most jobs. I suppose you could call that 'theft'. In waitressing, the servers all split the cost if the money drawer was off, out of our tips. Just a thought for AAFES.

Well one thin is certain.....I have spent my last dime at ANY Starbucks.

Starbucks is overpriced, not especially good coffee, and now this. Adios Starbuco!

Remember this was an AAFES action....not a starbucks action! How nasty is it to fire a pregnant woman and jack her up like that? that is WRONG...what is wrong with AAFES managers and employees that they would go to this extreme and leave an 8 month pregnant woman without a job and medical insurance when the *rules* were not clear as to what is expected? Shame on you!

I was taught to respect other people's stuff. Out of respect, the employees needed to understand how much they could eat or drink out of the shop they worked at. The shop could have been transparent about their concerns for losses being experienced. Many people may deny that they have partaken of any of the food or drink.

we are a police state. we make the soviet gulag look tame. these cameras are all over, at walmart target etc ad infinitum. unless there is a grass roots revolution, we are toast. occupy wall street movement was very tame and not supported by the press which is now a willing coconspirator with the government to rob uis of all our freedoms. rise up america. i will lead you to victory, for death is preferable to this level of mickey mouse interference.

I feel so bad for the employees. If there was a problem why couldn't the administration come out and say something rather than doing things the way they did. Maybe they did and we don't know but to fire someone who has been with the company for several years seems a bit overdoing it. Lets all go on strike with Starbucks. Anyhow, Dutch Brothers and private owned are better in my opinion.

The title of this article is very miss leading! Why do people keep blaming Starbucks when this article makes it clear that it is AAFES that liscences the brand and made these decisions?

StarBucks??? They also have NAMBLA discounts at their stores?

star? bucks?
dunkin' donuts, baby...best coffee ever....i worked there, we could drink whatever during our shift, not one...and eat donuts until you dropped if you felt like...1 premium sandwich was the deal..more than that, 1/2 price each.

One word-Ridiculous!!!Hello DunkinDonut!!

I have never bought anything from Starbucks and never will. My daughter always goes there, but I will send her this article and ask her to tone it down on Starbucks and try some other places if she has to have coffee. When I used to travel I would hit the truck stops, they had a good price and the flavored coffees are good too, Flying J's comes to mind.Say bye, bye Starbucks.

This is just crazy. Loss Prevention has nothing to do, so they start creating situations like this. They knew people were doing that, so instead of warning them not to do it again, they set them up. Bad thing for them, they didn't know it would make news. Almost $14,000 for one of the accused. Well, it's not like Starbucks can take these people to court. If there isn't a camera there usually, there's probably no consent by the employees of being videotaped in their job contract. http://communications-media.lawyers.com/privacy-law/Photography-or-Video-Taping-Consent.html

I have worked on FT Belvoir and I have an NCR Badge. The next thing that wil happen is that Starbucks will (count on it) be kicked off of base, Trust me. The nest stop will be Langley to if the same policy applies. If so, they will be asked to leave. This is a dumb move by Starbucks. Peets Coffee you have the next move...

This story is more about what happens when you mix civillians with militray.

Most thief is done by upper management anyway......they think they will not be caught!!!! I did a remodel for a book store, and I found about 1000 dollars of merchandise above the ceiling in the back room. I reported it to upper management ( so I didn't get the blame) and they told me to not say anything that they had put it up there. There thought was when the items go on clearance they would get a much better deal and plus there employee discount, they would get it for almost nothing. Large companies just find the lowest person on the totem pole and pin it on them. Corporate companies SUCK!!!!! Especially to the employees that work the hardest!!!!!!

I WILL NEVER drink at FOUR bucks... I mean Starbucks coffee AGAIN! NEVER... this is SO ridiculous!! I thought they were the best employers and kind to them NOT NO NEVER AGAIN

This sounds like blackmail for profit on Starbuck's part. The first time the employee was ilegedly caught "stealing" a beverage, the employee should have been approached and made aware of the employee's rights and privileges under the store's policy. The employee should have been told they were in violation of the policy the first time, if it were so, not left to generated thousands of dollars of revenue for the store and be billed for it after the fact. It just seems dirty.

Balance Interests in the Workplace
Employers must let you know why and where they use video and notify all employees in writing that video surveillance is conducted. They also need to ask you to sign a document saying you know you may be monitored. However, this doesn't stop them from doing it without your knowledge. Additionally, employers must clearly state the areas that are off limits from videotaping and explain they're for personal use and don't have any job related function.

Half of the employes who at the AAFFES are either base spouse,childern or retired military and I belived they should boycott and removed STARBUCK's of the base.

I think Starbucks should pay the pregnant girl for her 200 hours of sick leave, at least. It sounds like bad management/leadership and an overzealous security guy who should be focusing on real criminals... firing her for $3.75? Get a life...

The woman walked out on the job, she didn't get fired. She said she left the interview...it was her choice to quit the job. Walking out=quitting. Not a very wise decision to make when there is a baby on the way.

I am ashamed of AAFES as well...

When Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit and realized right from wrong, it set the course for the rest of us. I am not judging in anyway towards anyone but wrong is wrong. The only question that I would like to know is did she know the policy? If she did and violated it then end of story. Lack of management from store to shift should be addressed The coach gets fired before the field goal kicker does

There are licensed stores and corporate stores. I work at a corporate Starbucks. We are not limited to what type or how many beverages we consume while working. This must be a licensed store policy.Not really even sure if that is true. These baristas sound like they are being duped. It sounds more like a problem with AAFES (which would make it licensed). Unfortunately licensed stores are not officially operated with the same policies as corporate ran stores. THis is why we would do a way with the licensed side of Starbucks. It creates vast inconsistencies. This is terrible to hear.

Wow... People don't read well. This particular Starbucks is a licensed store and is NOT operated by Starbucks but AAFES. As always, there is more to the story than what you read. Theft is theft no matter if it is a penny or $1000. Obviously the ball was dropped more than once here. The title of this article and the information shared in it is not enough for anyone to jump to conclusions, if you do... Obviously you're not too bright. There's more to this story we are missing.

just to Piss off Starbucks If I was an employee I myself would bring a duncun donut coffee everyday and they cannot say a thing now because I am buying my coffee from some else..

Ive got one thing to say Starbucks...I QUIT!... I will no longer consume your product or Hand over one more penny to a corporation/ franchise that wrongfully places a camera in a secret location and invades ones trust and privacy with out their knowledge ...You should have put it out in public view in every angle for your viewing and informed every member of staff along with the new policy that was still left in double jeapordy status " previous policy"....Shame on you! I wonder what cams you have hidden that invades your consumers and their privacy rights....I think Coffee Bean will be getting a new customer!...I quit!!! I will never drink Starbucks again............

Star Buck Sucks! I would never go to a restaurant/coffee shop that does not feed their employees. You got to be kidding me, they charge them for the coffee and food they eat. I worked in restaurants all my life. The pay low but at least they feed the employees every shift, Star Bucks makes millions and they want to bleed their employees for such Trivial B. S. I hate star bucks their coffee sucks anyway. Support Dunking Doughnuts, their coffee is way better!!

What gets me is that the woman was fired for the $3.75 offense but the article gave the impression that the woman with the $663 offense was just suspended for 30 days. But I'd really like to know where they came up with their figures. The lady who owed $663 was only using a little milk or lemonade to put in her coffee. If it is just the milk and lemonade they are charging her for, she would had to have consumed an awful lot...and it seems implausible to me. They based it on 52 weeks (even though she had only worked 40 weeks), so they are basically saying she used $12.75 worth of milk or lemonade. Could she REALLY have drank enough coffee or tea in one week to have added $12.75 worth of milk/lemonade to her drinks??? Let's say it was just milk, which was probably more expensive than the lemonade. She would had to have added a total of about 3.5 GALLONS of milk to her beverages in ONE WEEK'S TIME!!! Really??? I don't think so. I think they inflated the charges because it just doesn't add up. And for the person who allegedly owes close to $14 thousand? That person would have had to drink approximately 40 cups of coffee a week. If they work 5 days a week, that's about 8 cups a day, or one cup per hour of their shift! Granted, this person may have eaten sandwiches, pastries and other items, but the total still seems pretty inflated to me.

Shame on AAFES, maybe for not being "clear" with the rules.
But either way, Starbucks' policy of ONE beverage was very clear and in effect. Even though Starbucks isn't the one initiating the action, the employees are still stealing from the job as per Starbucks' policy.
While it may seem harsh to fire a pregnant woman, the fact remains, she was a Starbucks MANAGER in charge of fellow employees. She sets the standards to be followed and had to be aware of Starbucks' policy.
Yes, the article likes to stress the fact of her only being accused for a mere $3.75, but you must look at the big picture... Multiply this by the amount of Starbucks there are in the country, multiply this by the amount of employees there are, and then multiply this by the amount of days in a year and this figure wouldn't seem so trivial if it were coming out of our pocket!
But then again, I don't know all the details. Heck, I don't even like coffee..=p

No wonder the price of coffee is so high with employees stealing merchandise. It is the customer that has to pay for the thefts. I've worked at places much more strict than this. It's not just drinking coffee on break it is how they make a business and the product that they have to sell to run the business. If several employees do this every day it adds up to a tremendous amount over time. And it is unfair to every one else.
I would fault Starbucks for not making the policy clear but mind you this is probably just the tip of the iceberg. A business has to spend a lot in management time to watch/babysit its irresponsible employees. A thief cannot be trusted in any business and the petty thief has to be watched because they are inherently dishonest and can become a worse problem and need to be dealt with. There are a lot of honest people out there that are much more deserving of employment.

I can't stand that place, and they would go broke on what I have spent there in a lifetime so far. I only go when traveling or in need of a facility if it is absolutely the only choice. I far prefer Dunkin' Donut's coffee (less strong and bitter) and even better are privately owned coffee shops. I seriously boycott all of these big box chains whenever I possibly can both by preference and GP.

If they worked at lets say The Gap and took home clothes, they would be charged with stealing. What's the difference here? They are taking (consuming) a product that the store sells. It's called stealing.

I'm almost NEVER on the side of unions, but this one is certainly an exception! I hope they sue management and get a bundle. Did they have a written, signed conract stating those conditions? Once they had even ONE instance, it should have caused them to put a stop to the "theft". failure to do so means management was actually encouraging "theft" to continue! wrong, wrong, wrong!

I think this is the worst coffe and also I think is illegal to videotape the employees. What a shame. If they find a good lawyer they win. Also is the most expensive coffee.

Your coffee tastes like regugitated dog vomit and usually when you acuse another it is only to hide your own guilt. How many labor hours have you stolen from each employee during your time in business? Rest assured I will never set foot in another starbucks as long as I live.

Sounds like another great company to work for. I dont think they can charge you for taking coffee. Also there were no write ups, warning,lastly when was the cameras installed? and they waited how long to come to the conclusions that 13K was stolen?

I WORK AT STARBUCKS INSIDE SUPERTARGET, AND WE ARE NOT ALLOW TO HAVE ANYTHING FOR FREE. WE 'RE NOT ALLOW TO KEEP THE TIPS

Anything & anybody connected to the U.S. Government, including Starbucks, have no frickin common sense.

DeeD must be a stockholder..... or a manager!!!

MANAGER Stacy, Hang in there girl! Don't let the stress affect your health/pregnancy! How much will they save on your maternity (sick) leave? You must have been a truly reliable employee to accumulate that much sick leave. Were you given the option to sign a note to repay that whopping $3.75 like the other employee? The person pointing out how much more expensive the long term employee with benefits is perceived really summed it up. It's sad that so many organizations will 'run off' these employees thinking to save money, never really getting it - how high the cost of turnover, training, the learning curve, and loss of customer's satisfaction is. Being familiar with your barista is priceless! Nothing like arriving at the bar and your drink is ready and waiting because the employee who has taken care of you daily for years knows exactly what you want!

So I'm really curious about this now... if a manager was at fault, where was her boss? Do the videos show secretive sneaking, or people openly partaking in a manner that they believe is okay? Strangest of all is the lack of any (reported) verbal reprimand/warning or clarification of the policy before jumping straight to hidden cameras! And then how long did they have to continue to videotape to allow someone to rack up nearly 14K in charges. Doesn't sound to me like common sense policy and/or cost oversight has much of anything to do with this investigation or these terminations.

What if tomorrow, just for one day, every person goes someplace else for coffee and a danish-diners have great bakery selections and you can usually get an espresso beverage. Just one day with zero business for Starbucks should send the signal home. I'm sad to say this, because I love to go there...but people are infinitely more important than caffeine.

DUNKIN DONUTS. VERY GOOD.
STARBUCKS SIMPLY DOESN'T EXIST IN YOUR MIND ANYMORE..
THIS ARTICLE NEEDS TO GO VIRAL TO HAVE AN IMPACT.

First off, I think starbucks has the nastiest coffee I ever tasted. It tastes like it's burnt and over roasted. If a company is so stingy and greedy that they want to charge their employees for coffee and pastries. How petty. When people refuse to work for these people nothing will every change. Too bad, a Union would never let that happen

http://youtu.be/ByIcql96UDY

I am sick of companies using these kinds of intrusive tactics to save themselves a few bucks. If your coffee means so much to you that you have to police your workers over it well your just out of control. Starbucks you have seen my last dime - count on it.

It's not Starbucks that is wrong, but AAFES. What Starbucks can do is end it contract with AAFES and remove the store from the base, to same it's reputation.

my mom used to work at the PX at Ft.Devens and this is the same crap they pulled with the employees there-there was a bag of candy that was found on the floor opened, brought to loss prevention and written off. one of the girls was seen taking a candy out of it on the way out to the dumpster and threatened with termination for stealing (remember,this was already written off and was being thrown out!)
yes this is the Army And Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) at its best

Well, wrong is wrong, but $3.75 compared to $13,000 plus is a bit much don't you think? Who hasn't walked out of the office with a pen in their pocket and not thought a thing about it?

This Starbucks franchise is owned by the Government so Starbucks employee policy would not apply. Leave it to the government to give employees as much as they can stuff in their stomach and then turn around and try to use the parent company's rules to take it back. AAFES needs to stick with their crappy hangouts and lease the building to a decent Starbucks franchisee and keep their nose out of it or they will surely run it in the ground and we will end up supporting it. Sound familiar?? Just Sayin

i thought every where you work, if you take something that does not belong to you, that is stealing, is thre another definition? people today, think they are owed everything, most younger people today have no ethics ..and when they are giving a job some, they think they are owed something other than a paycheck!! you are there to work, and that is it, if they hand you something that is a perk, and thank them..do not expect anything other than a check!

No janine. I just actually read the entire article. She was a manager. Her employees under her supervision racked up how much in theft? Oh yeah... Over 14k. It clearly says that it is a licensed store, which are not run by corporate or follow corporate policies but the policies of the licensee company! I simply stated too much information is missing from this. You what they say... When you assume. I do however run a retail business and yes we have rules and regulations to follow. If one of my employees were to leave with merchandise on multiple occasions and I allowed it... Yes, I would be held accountable. As I should be.

I've just finished reading scores of negative comments about Starbucks. Unfortunately, there's a serious misunderstanding going on. This story concerns AAFES; it does NOT reflect on Starbucks. AAFES is being run independently on an Air Force base, with draconian policies that are truly shameful. The Starbucks Corporation isn't the culprit here- the Military base is. Personnel on that base are creating an atmosphere of Orwellian proportions. If you're going to boycott Starbucks, boycott AAFES Starbucks. They're guilty! Starbucks is not to blame for what the Military base franchise is doing! Get your facts straight and then act on them. If enough people boycott AAFES Starbucks, the Military will have to do an inquiry, and hopefully things will change for the better!

OMG-This is crazy! One policy says this, the other that! Sounds like management wanted to clean house and get their friends in! With unemployment high and the economy being so bad Companies are using the lamist excuses to let people go and are just adding to the already outrageous unemployment numbers! I think every company should be held accountable for this kind of behavior! I think the hidden camera was a set up and I hope these people sue - God knows Starbucks is just outrageously over priced!

The lady got fired 3.75?......rofl let me just give them that, so she can go have her baby. Horrid story. She left a meeting because she asked forr a representative and was turned down sounds a little wish-washy to me. And to the dad they wouldn't let your son see you? Umm better hope he was over 18

In the case of the pregnant woman getting fired over a $3.25 drink, it sounds to me like they were LOOKING for a way to cut her loose and save themselves a bundle of money on maternity leave and saved up vacation hours. Jesus Christ, isn't Starbucks RICH ENOUGH ALREADY??

I would if I was an employee, get a lawyer and take this as far as it will go.. You cant say one thing and mean another..and if you change a policy then you have to make it known to your employees. I worked for Applebees and there was an issue there and it was taken to a court and settled with a lawsuit. Stand your ground and btw I hate StarBucks Coffee...the first cup I ever tried tasted like I was drinking dirt...never went back again !

These employees should refuse to pay retail value. They should pay cost only, which probably amounts to 2 cents a cup. This recoups the "loss" they are concerned with.

This also applies to those signs you see, "You break it, you buy it." For starters, companies have insurance to protect against something like that. But, if you feel bad for breaking something, never pay retail - only reimburse the store what they paid for the item.

I will never drink a Starbucks coffee again, and I will post this on face book if the AAFES Office does not give Stacey McDonald back her job on Base. Sounds like a good way to get ride of a pregneant employee and discriminate against women in a way to say stealing was involved without stealing taking place. Its a fine line in calling somoene a thief when they work for you if they did not take any thing home with them from the starbucks or give it to another person for free without payment. Employees in charge of any food, beverage, or resturant have the responsible of testing the product they have to make and sell to the public. Starbucks coffee is made in all the stores which needs to be tested before giving it out to the public. if the product came made in containers and sealed and employees did not have to make or mix it with any thing, then it could be considered stealing. Looks like a huge lawsuit and lawyers need to focus on this issue before AAFES destroys the Starbuck immage and customers stop going to starbucks. I feel sorry for anyone who says they have to fire someone for $3.75 and accuse them of stealing when the job economy is poor.

So it is not ok to Video tape the people you hire and PAY to work for you, without telling them? So how do you ever figure out who is stealing your profit or should you just say hey we have cameras so you need to be honest now or you dishonest workers need to figure a way to tag team steal by blocking or disabling the cameras. How many of you offended by Starbucks actions would give one of these people keys to your home or car, for a few days while on vacation. There is VIDEO anyone who thinks they were treated unfair should sue Starbucks (plenty of money if they win, maybe millions -- jail time, fines, a record and probation if they lose) Vids don’t lie and the truth is the truth.

I don't think they can sue the US Government even if they had a 1000 lawyers - soverign immunity.

It sounds to me that all of us should quit drinking $tarbucks or visiting their establishments ..........

If I am correct, AAFES runs on American tax dollars? My tax dollars are used to hire AAFES management, right??? Therefore, I believe it is my right to demand these so called "managers" be FIRED from AAFES!!!!

Greedy SOB's they should be happy that they have employees that enjoy the work and what they sell. What StarBucks sells and at such a high price are they really loosing anything? Total BS......someone find a good lawyer and see if they had any violations of the employees right to work in a NON HOSTILE work place!
John J. Nazarian, P.I.
straighttalkwithjohnjnazarian.com

The employees stole food and drinks and should pay. They cry about being taped which tells me they are guilty and will steal from their employer if given the chance. Most are probably obama supporters too, you know the "gimme everything free crowd".

It won't be long and all of the fast food restaurants will have to find another place to conduct business when the republicans take back the congress and close down all of the military bases.

I am a fan of Starbucks coffe!That being said I do not believe that they (Starbucks)
handled this matter well, Last time I checked we are still in the USA.It doesn't matter where the store is on an army base or in Greenwich village'

This is a seriously misleading title to this article - typical editing on aol.com.

Looks like a PR nightmare if it gets widespread publication. Having people work so hard over something they aren't allowed to touch treats them like serfs. And where is their salary factor? That $4 coffee would, I assume, include the charge for labor- making it. So if the person made it themselves it is no longer a $4 coffee.

You can't separate Starbucks from AAFES, they are ultimately responsible for how their products are managed. They authorized AAFES to handle their products so they are responsible for their behavior. Given today's economy and the cost of Starbucks' products they can ill afford to be perceived as backing anyone who would vicitimized a pregnant mother- to -be who works for them, in any capacity. People are fed up with major rich companies ripping off the average hard working American in any and every way they can. A strong message needs to be sent to Starbucks over this. American workers have taken enough from corporations, enough is enough. No more money to Starbucks until they rectify this mess.

I've been getting Starbucks coffee for my sick wife in the hospital for a few days now. Today I had to switch to another brand because this motor oil is making her sick. We had to switch to Folgers which in my opinion is much better and not as grimy.

this article and the laws are either mistaken or flat out lying...Starbucks allows unlimited drinks while you work. i should know since i worked there. all you have to do is ring it up and mark it out as a partner bev. therefore it's accounted for and not missing. so if that's all they missed then oh well....but it's insane that people aren't getting lawyers involved more quickly for wrongful termination or suspension.

If they were giving the coffee away and pocketing the money, that is one thing. But there should be some small perk to working there. Personally, in honor of the workers, I am going to boycott Starbucks for one month and go to Peets.

no more starbucks

This to me should be Criminal and it is definately a double standard!

Who in their right mind would not take them to court for being fired for following one policy which violates another? I would force them to pay me if they fired me over a double policy standard.

I always thought starbucks coffee was terrible anyway so I never gave them a dime. But you can be sure, I will make sure every person I know never buys a coffee from them again. Once they hear this story they will listen.

Bad Bad starbucks! Very bad!

To fire a woman who has worked there for five years and is 8 months pregnant and has 200 hours for maternity leave oveer a $3.95 controversial infraction is cruel. I think they didn't want to give her the time off so tried to come up with something to fire her, and the rules are vague to begin with. They could have asked her to pay back the $3.95 that they say she owed. They are trying to save money on depriving a long time employee of her benefits. She should sue Starbucks.

I hate starbucks, my wife always has to write down what to get her cause I never heard of such crap, I ask for a small black coffee and they look at me like I got 3 heads. And the drive throughs alwasy jam up traffic.

Some Army bureaucrat had too many investigators. Sent them after Starbucks employees to make work.
Been in a Starbuck shop once. Looked at prices, got a drink from water fountain next door.
Our work place coffee club calculated 5 cents a cup more than paid for the coffee and washing the cups.
How ya think Starbucks paid for all them new shops? $4 for a nickle cup of coffee.
Wi Fi is Starbucks main draw.

A thief is a thief ...whether it is a drop of milk or a dollar bill. If it ain't yours don't touch it

This is bullshit!First of all why is it starbucks says the employees can only have one beverage(Of Choice) per working shift, But AAFES says they can have unlimited beverages(As long as on shift).Here the kicker AAFES launced the investigation and more than likely humiliated Manager Stacy McDonald by firing her for theft,How is that theft when your told you can have beverages while on shift?The worst part that pisses me off most is she was pregnant so now she's fired,No money,No insurance,Lost all vacation time,Where's the justice there?If the employees was told before they started working there they had to pay for beverages and they took them free then I can see calling them theives and firing them or making them pay restitution for theft.I say they should Re-Hire Stacy McDonald,Give back her vacation time and benifits and she should be compensated for lost hours while she was fired.Now don't everyone agree"FAIR IS FAIR"

Tulley's coffe tastes much better than $tarbucks

Robert E

I use to like starbuck . but they are treating there employee unfare,and i going to stop buying from then. Il we all do that it well teach starbucks a lession

Dunkin Donuts allows their employees to drink dispensed beverages while on shift and eat donuts or sandwiches! And Starbucks can't afford the same practices as Dunkin Donuts, but can charge the public more money for food and drinks? That makes no sense! And then to make your employees pay the company back, after realizing the policy is conflicting... Seems like a class action lawsuit to me!

I got in trouble years ago when I worked for Knotts Berry Farm. I had worked a 10 hour shift at the Steak House and grabbed a quarter of a glass of cola on the run and was accused of stealing. I quit my job the next day.

What do I know? Not Much but I would like express a few points that I hope that Daddy STARBUCKS here's very clearly.
First this is to starbucks: When any of your employee's steal we are behind you for taking the appropriate action. When you treat an employee bad we feel there pain. We the customer, make up your profit center. Your first expectation of a employee when working for your company should be customer service. The second thing should be customer service.Third customer service which is all of making sure we have a great experience. Since the product lines that are manufactured in each store location needs a skill level and the expertise to make that perfect $3.50-$10.00 cup of jolting caffeine/ La tay dot tay.
First All Liquid Items sold come from solid state. Coffee is in roasted form, Tea's are in bags, all other liquids and foods from your distributors.
If I was a customer walking in and i steal a cup of coffee that you Retail for $3.50 your lose in not $3.50 It is a ticket Ring of $3.50 your loss is the cup and coffee cost which the Cup cost more than the Coffee. I am not sure but I think your buying power is pretty good with over 10,000 stores world wide right? The addition of product is being formulated at retail not Cost. If the employees are walking out with cases or leaving the store with the product it is clearly theft. I think HR needs to evaluate the security Dept from the Top down.

Shame on You Starbucks!! Those employess work pretty darn hard making all those great drinks for us customers, and you get all uptight because they are a little hungry an grap a muffin, or a coffee? Especially the gal thats pregnant...taking away her just because she ate something worth $3.25....You Suck Starbucks!! Those employees SHOULD be able to help themselves to anything they want to eat or drink in the store, of course within reason....Boo Hoo to Starbuck....BOYCOTT IS ON!! BOYCOTT STARBUCKS EVERYBODY!!! Give them all back their jobs!, Tightwads!

You know they are grown people and they should know better than to overindulge. I won't take anything for free from my job so then there are no unclear lines being crossed. Go to work do your job and go home to your families. Next time maybe they will know better. I also agree that it is stealing and it is raising the costs for the consumer. Someone out there somewhere is paying for whatever was taken and eaten. Oh and by the way it is a business of course they are video taping. You should never say or do anything that you don't want someone to hear. Eyes and ears are everywhere

I'm done with Starbucks. These employers these days are totally out of control. I am or was a regular. Sad my back up coffee was Panera Breads who discriminates against minorities. I'm running out of places to go. Sorry Mitt Romney, corporations are very thoughtless people.

I am 100% for the Camera's and Sound in all Public locations as for Hidden Camera's without the knowledge is illegal. What if an employee goes into the back room not knowing she i being watched and no other employee back there. She adjust her ta ta's thinking no one is there. Clearly invasion of privacy. The Employer has every right to have all the camera's and sound they want. BUT they must let the Employee's clearly know they are there.

Wouldn't it be interesting if those businesses who franchised refused to allow them at any military installations. In todays world, news travels at the speed of light and bad news travels faster. I'll bet the general public (like me) doesn't have a clue how franchising works. Reading the posts shed some light - so thanks for that. Still in all, the AAFES isn't helping the Starbucks reputation any. Can corporate intervine on this at all? If the store is on a base, I understand the need for security and it would probably trump any corporate security guidelines because of location. But there's something going on with this situation that's yet to be said. No company needs money bad enough to allow this kind of PR.

A camara does not verify if you steal in this case, maybe they spit the coffee they test back in a jug and the camara does not catch them, and for that matter if they pee out the coffee they drink in the toilet at the starbucks on base its considered a trade agreement between the AAFES AND THE EMPLOYEES WORKING...and furthermore the AAFES is responsible for its employees health and welfare on the base and if Stacey looses her baby since she is pregneant and they called her a thief before she is convicted the AAFES offices on base has violated her rights. She has a right to a fair trail under state law becaue the AAFES hired her as a civilian working on base under state laws which pay out unemployment and taxes.
Stacy get a lawyer and make them pay up.

Union or No Union
Proper training and retraining did not happen here.
If the company was aware of this person consuming the product and they broke company policy they should be terminated with just cause. Going back and calculating the COST at RETAIL and not at the drink and food real cost is Criminal itself here.

I worked as a supervisor at a Starbucks in NY. I left another supervisor in charge of depositing the previous day's cash at the bank because my manager told me to go home because I was going into overtime. That supervisor forgot to take the deposit to the bank after I called to remind him. Another supervisor left the safe open for 20 minutes that day. Later still another supervisor reentered the store after hours to return keys. The deposit went missing (gee, really???) I lost my job due to breach of security even though another employee saw the deposit in the safe due to it being left open. The police were never called, an internal investigation was conducted and the assistant manager (who was in on the investigation) was later found out to be the culprit. I still lost my career. Starbucks has some questionable policies regarding "security."

I am done with Starbucks Coffee Houses! If they are listening to phone conversations then they are probably intercepting e-mail and internet transmissions. After all it is their place of business. So, I won't risk any data that I have on my cell phone or laptop computer with this corporation. It is a real kick in the ass when you finally understand how they treat their employee's! Add the whole thing-up and the answer that is left is good bye. XYZ donut shop don't give a damn about any of this crap. See you around Starbucks?

Who trains the Head of Security? They need retraining..............
Who sets the company policies? They need retaining...............
Who thinks of what the Starbucks customers think of the mistreatment of these employees are getting and the media attention it will receive?............
I care more about the way people are treated then the products I buy from there store. If Starbucks thinks there product is the only reason we visit. They need to think again.

CAFFEINE IS AVAILABLE EVERYWHERE AT LOWER PRICES. WE CAN FIRE YOU/STARBUCKS IF WE CHOOSE

They fired a 8 month pregnant women over $3.75 cents in coffee or donuts She had accumulated 200 hours of sick leave to use for maternity leave. And insurance wopuld have covered her hospital. that is why they fired her. They were looking for an excuse. I will never set foot in a Starbucks again. How long would you need to work there to accumulate a bill of 663 dollars in milk and lemonade for your coffee and tea. At pennies a day. These people should be able to sue starbucks for millions.

as a former employee of the giant coffee conglomerate, I know for a fact that in each of the 6 stores Ive covered shifts for in the 3 years working there, that EVERY single employee, as well as managers and regional managers, enjoyed dozens of drinks and/or food items during any single shift. If you want to fire someone, you should take a looooong look at all the stores, and fire everyone! Lets face it, its all about the 200 hours that IS owed to this poor woman for her maternity leave..... not about the $3.75!!!!!!

This is ridiculous. They stole. And any business has a right to put up cameras anywhere they want except for bathrooms, changing areas etc. Hidden or not. Anyone who owns a store like I do should agree. And now the unions are involved. Oh boy. Unions started out a great thing but they are killing jobs not saving them. In NY back in 2007 they started closing hospitals and the 1199 union instead of fighting these closings got a nice payment from the governor's office (for union member retraining) to keep
1199 quiet. And another hospital closed because they couldn't afford the union pension payments. Nice job unions

lol altho i am not a lawyer, i did sleep at a holiday inn last night (joke), and i do work for a huge plaintiff law firm (no joke). my personal opinion is that soon both AAEFS and Starbux are going to pull an immediate Komen and pray that they are not going to be bent over and a firm similar to the one i work for is going to give the old proverbial prostate exam. there is no defense for this............

Dear "Spirals Happen."

So you think the Jews are responsible for all the wars? Read your history, 11th,12th 13th century etc., etc., etc., Yes Howard probably gives money to Israel and many other charities. READ YOUR HISTORY before you start making accusations. The Jews deal in MONEY, because money exchange was the only alternative way of making a living after the Nazi's took away every livelihood away from them. They had to survive somehow, and that was the only way they could.

@ teddy. yeah dude go vote for newt and get a grip. either you are a serial philanderer apologista or a mormon. get a grip.

Here's an idea. Don't steal. Pretty simple.

Weingarten rights:
http://clear.uhwo.hawaii.edu/wein.html

The actions taken against these employees is a reflection of what is wrong with America and the notion of a global economy, thus Occupy Wall Street.

The actions taken against these employees is a reflection of corporate greed, on a local and global scale. Occupy Wall Street supporters are on the right track.

Unions are NOT the answer, Better Bosses are! Treat your employees like gold and the will pass it on to the customer, AND be the most loyal , deserving people you will ever know

Isn't starbucks making enough money charging four dollars and up FOR A CUP OF CODFFEE (!!) that is has to charge it's employees??? don't most workplaces have coffee machines for their employees? why doesn't starbucks do this in the first place?

GREED! GREED! GREED!

BOYCOTT 'EM!

PEOPLE ARE IDIOTS TO PAY $4.00 FOR A CUP OF COFFEE ANYWAY!

READ THAT AGAIN: IT'S A >> CUP OF COFFEE << FOUR BUCKS???

SHOWS YOU HOW GULLIBLE PEOPLE CAN BE

Nobody holds a gun to people's heads to buy Starbucks....besides this was not done buy Starbucks-this report is so misleading. It was done by the military management.

I just want AOL to know that this article is unfair to Starbucks.

First of all, it seems as though there are 2 different policies going on, Starbucks and AAFES policy. I think there should be one defining policy for all stores regardless of location to eliminate any confusion. Secondly, why did the management wait for an employee to alledgedly steal 13k worth of product to fire him/her? Were these employees aware of this policy prior to being hired? There seems to be alot of info that is NOT covered in this article. The government entities, in my opinion, can't run the country, let alone a Starbucks on base without screwing things up. I don't like Starbucks coffee and I have never been in one of their stores. I understand this is falling on the AAFES, however, Starbucks needs to step in and protect these employees based on "their policies". Needless to say, I won't go to Starbucks, regardless of who is at fault (AAFES or Starbucks). Starbucks, step up to the plate and protect these employees. Do the right thing!

NEVER WILL BUY STARBUCKS AGAIN

The way I see it they had another option, that would have remained a bit more "drama free". Upon suspecting that they were doing this, AAFES could have brought the manager in, along with all the employees and stated that they were aware of what was going on and said in no uncertain terms that if they continued to do this, they would be fired. And they could have had them to sign a written statement regarding this. I don't feel AAFES had strong management skills with this. However by doing this, there wouldn't have been as much DRAMA attached to it and hey, that is what we all love. All the drama in life!

With any luck they will get an attorney together and sue due to conflicting rules and no evidence of theft if there was any policy allowing employees to eat and drink and it was not clear which rules superceded the others. Starbucks in Seattle should be more involved in resolving these issues for public relations if they want to keep their support nationally against these boycotts that are going to be called for against the coffee brand. Articles like this are damaging at a time when Starbucks can't afford it.

how sad how sad,good luck to the woman n her yet to be born child ,I hope when the baby is born ,you retain yourself a good lawer n let the chips fall where they may ,I for 1 am routing 4 you both again hope you have a safe n healthy baby good luck

if u dont think this is fair.try a local coffee shop near ur home or work. i did and i was pleasantly surprised that i liked their breve mocha better.and u help the local economy more.

You see why we need more labor protection, because of these companies, using such methods and leverages on their employees... Fight it or just die from your stupidy liberal people.

Gary York,

Your comment was deleted because it contained expletives and therefore violated Patch's Terms of Service. I encourage you to comment again, but this time with appropriate language.

Thanks for reading.
Jessie Biele, Local Editor

Hey all, this isn't a Starbuck's issue. AAFES runs this particular store. It is the AAFES management who has mishandled this scenario. I spoke at length with one of the GMs. Her apathetic attitude toward the employees was staggeringly apparent. She stated that she had no knowledge of the employees' requests for legal/union representation. These are some of the best and most professional baristas I know.

I have seen channel 4 news.
I have read your news bulletin that started all these comments.
I have read so far everyones comments on The PATCH.
Your story is not all the truth or has all the facts.
You should post the employee meal policies that have come out from AFFES before and after Jan31st 2012 and a copy of Starbucks policy and a brief summary of the AFFES EOP.
I am sure after reading all the policies you will understand that there was no thieft commented on most employees parts.
Some employees were accused of taking some toppings on there coffee,which was to pay 1/2 price.
The statment coffee,tea,soda and bulk items are free while working .AAFFES food policy. They took a cheap shot to clean house to lower the overhead.
It started with accuseing someone of stealing a shot of syrup with there coffee and after doing it everyday for the period of there employement it added up to 800.00 dollars they stole from the company B S ! The policy states bulk items are free,Well if syrup is in a bulk bottle and sold only as a shot from the bottle to the customer,it would be considered bulk and would be free with the drink.
AAFES is full of crap and rebecca santee the new fort belvior manger and her loss prevention team should be repremaned and fired for wasting so much time and money trying to save a dollar by firing older employees that get paid higher and have benefits!
it all about OVERHEAD COST

Every single of you who say "Starbucks is responsible"-- research exactly what a FRANCHISE agreement is, then shut up. AAFES is a franchise, employees work for AAFES, NOT STARBUCKS. And if you think for one minute that the franchise agreement does not make this 100% crystal clear, you are all idiots. AAFES operates the business, buys the supplies, pays employees, pays the bills, EVERYTHING and Starbucks gets their cut of the royalties for allowing AAFES to use the name and sell the product. CORPORATE Starbucks legally cannot hire, fire, or reprimand any AAFES employees. So educate yourselves before you rush to boycott Starbucks-- it's AAFES who is solely responsible for this. Starbucks CANNOT fix this even if they wanted to.

I wonder how many of these commenters - the "I'll never again go to Starbucks" ever do/did go there in the first place. And I wonder how many can comprehend the English language -- AAFES is prosecuting; AAFES is a licensee, not a corporate location. That just gives AAFES the right to use the Starbucks product and name within controlled conditions.

THINK, people. Get facts.

Starbucks is, in MOST locations, an outstanding corporate citizen - a fair, if not generous, employer - who follows all state laws.

I'm patronizing them heavily, but have backed off on AAFES.

If I were Starbucks corporate offices, I'd be on Patch like white on rice for this story. It's going to cost Starbucks to make up for the bad PR foisted on Starbucks instead of AAFES - if any of it is proven true.

WOW! I want to really know does this mean that every employee at FORT BELVOIR that uses a pencil or pen and take it out of the office is stealing also? Does this mean if you print a page from a printer its stealing? If you go into the AAFES grocery store that taking a flier that has sales on it is stealing? Where is the stealing and money loss leading employees on a Base end or begin? Can you trust anyone on the base after this? If there spying on everyone and employees who else are they spying on that shops at the AAFES? Where they in violation of the rights of Senators or Congressmen that bought coffee there by spying on them? Maybe it was not for employees and they need to be investageted? Think before you spy is the thought? Or is it messed up and they the ones that spied on others
and there not really saying who?

I would like to clarify something about this situation. I am a former employee of an AAFES owned Starbucks at an Army post in Virginia. I, too, was pulled into an office, accused of stealing drinks, and made to sign a promissory note. I had been told by my manager that we were allowed to sample beverages. I never took an entire beverage, but sample size cups of coffee or espresso drinks, weighing less than one ounce. I was told that I was an untrustworthy employee and was fired and escorted off the premises. I was completely humiliated.
THIS IS NOT A STARBUCKS POLICY. THIS IS AN AAFES POLICY. AAFES owned Starbucks have different rules and regulations than corporately owned Starbucks. I know, because I was a former employee of a corporately owned Starbucks for two years. I was a shift supervisor, in charge of money handling and other various responsibilities. I never had a problem there. In fact, corporate Starbucks have clearly visible cameras monitoring employees and customers all over their stores. I feel that this actually reduces the amount of theft, because people know that they are being monitored. However, AAFES uses concealed cameras, and waits to "catch people in the act," and then charges them and fires them. This way, they actually MAKE money off of alleged "theft." Six other employees were fired from the store I worked at, and three others were charged money for their "theft" of products. This is an AAFES problem, not a Starbucks one.

I would like to add to this article, since its focusing on 12th street starbucks, that shortly after aafes started videotaping and investigating their employees, they started doing the same process to fort belvoir community hospital starbucks. We were also put on suspension and accused of taking samples and giving away free drinks to customers. During the investigation, our crew felt harassed, we were told, that if we dont sign our statements, we wll be picked up by the military police and loss prevention also refused to provide us a union representitive, after we asked for one. As of friday, feb 3rd, hospital starbucks crew was given the note, that we will be fired as well. We were called in to talk to the GM the same day, and she even had some of us waiting for her, for over 2 hours (even though, she gave us appointments). The community hospital starbucks opened about 7 months ago and before we opened the store, we all went through a 2-week training with our Starbucks district manager. Part of that training was to take samples of drinks and pastry in order to gain product knowledge. Our district manager told us, to do that on a regular basis and now we are getting fired for that...???

Hey Brian, why don't you just close this story for comment. Obviously reading comprehension has failed some members of the forum and I can't remember the last time so many comments were deleted for profanity. Some of the comments insult the intelligence.

Well I am just a consumer that will never purchase anything from Starbucks again after reading how this franchise treated their employees. Pure evil.

I have been to the starbucks on 12th street n it is not the same anymore.. I had to stand in line for 25 mins jus for 1 caramel frapp.. Like really!?!. They are jus soo slow over der.. The only keep one person from the old crew.. N she is the only one i let make my drinks

I've always wondered why most Starbucks employees I encounter are so chipper and happy but the ones at AAFES Starbucks look positively miserable...no wonder.

I find this about absolutely appalling that people believe a business doesn't have the right to protect their investment. First of all, as a soldier I am thankful that AAFES is there the men and women who protect all of your rights to say what you want. I am also gald these employees got what they deserved for stealing. The money made at these AAFES facilties goes toward the MWR Program that make Army life a little bit easier for my wife and kids. They provide programs and acivities that make a difference in our life. To those of you who commented on this case, there are two sides to every story. To those of you who did not have the courage to serve enjoy your freedoms, we will still protect you too.

v/r
Sgt. Major John Anderson
U.S. Army Rangers
Hoowaaaa!

...imagine how fat someone would be after drinking $13,000 of Starbucks drinks...

These employees ,"DID NOT STEAL ANYTHING". Ask me how I know? Possibly I am one of those employees. I will never tell!! I find it halarious on how everyone has a comment but does not know "ALL" the details.What happened to Innocent until proven guilty? Seems you are guilty first but never presumned innocent, I always thought it was the other way around, Innocent until you are found guilty in a court of law.
These are the hardest working and most loyal employees I ever had the pleasure to possibly work with. Most personalble and professional employees that AAFES ever had the honor to have work for them.
God will prevail! What goes around comes around they always say.
So everyone keep commenting but, please do it with respect and understanding for those whom are, "INNOCENT".
Possible mistakes in spelling and grammar so please don't comment on that no one is perfect.

CJ, you are so right on...These kids today are texting on tht job, surfing the web and don't realize that is Time Fraud, hello they pay you to work not play. A sample is one thing, but if employees were taking one drink per day that would about 9 people times $4-5 per day.MMmmmmmmm $45 per week, that sounds like a problem to me. mammy you are right , we don't know the truth, but you are the oens one here claiming to have been fired for now reason. Big companies don't like law suits so you were probably in the wrong cause they don't fire people for nothing. If they spend the money to catch you then they took the time to decide if they could be it in court. Get a clue.

CJ - I do not support "thieves." You think that I need to know what side of an argument to support?...would that be your side? I support the side that has better validity. I 100% agree with you when you talk about supporting businesses and business owners...at the same time, I won't give support to a business or business owner if they cannot give a black and white guideline. If they have policies too ambiguous, it leaves it up to the employees' interpretation. Starbucks told these employees to sample...then AAFES tells them they are thieves for sampling. Starbucks says the employees can have a drink on their shift...AAFES says they are "stealing." Seems like a two headed beast. They were AAFES associates working under the Starbucks name. How is it right to fire people when the company has two conflicting rules, and they don't take it upon themselves to clarify or adjust it? So, instead of correcting a problem and addressing it to the employees, it's better to just keep firing and re-hiring? That is counter productive. What kind of business do you run? You said that you're aware of how lousy the employee pool is, especially the youth - maybe the business owner needs to lead better, and the workers would display better work ethic.

V..You strike me as someone who is just a disrespectful, mouthy, smart aleak..that can't respond to reason...and argue for the sake of arguing. You are likely part of the problem. I already admitted i agree that many, or certainly some, of the employees may have cahrges exagerated agaisnt them. That said..I am only saying exagerated...but likely some validity. You really don't have any idea of what you are talking about when you take up for the present work force pool out there that comes from youth. You simpy do not know how bad it really is. To be fair...it is not just youth. That is because it has been going down hill a very long time now..and some of those people are not young anymore. The point is..the emplyee pool I spoke of is truly in poor shape. To make matters worse, the way the liberals have got all the laws so screwed up...an employer can run himself out of business by firing people. The cost of unemplyment insurance for your emloyees is very high. They can make up lies too easily and make claims. The business owner has little to protect himself. Sometimes all you can do is try to make a person quit.

V...(con't)
With the kids today..if it is not one thing..it is another with them. The sad fact is that consumers are getting used to being treated badly by employees. There was a time when it did some good to talk to a manager..but now days they look at you like..''uh..there is really nothing I can do but apologize for them..." It has nothing to do with bad employers. I have had emloyees that I have loan money to in hard times, turn around and steal from me. You need to shut up.

CJ - You are going off on so many tangents that it is difficult to even follow you. I don't disagree with some of your thoughts on youth today - many don't understand responsibility. That being said your comments have ZERO to do with this particular issue. Allow me to correct myself - - your comments have approximately 11.11% bearing on this issue . . . if you take time to read all of the previous comments you will notice that only one (1) of the nine (9) was a minor. The others all appear to have been adults. Hopefully we have cleared the air on that point.
Beyond that, it appears that you have perhaps read some of the comments above and started jumping to conclusions. Any intelligent person who has followed this string from the very beginning would not be 'popping off' in the manner that you are.
In the ORIGINAL article (above) it clearly states that there are two **conflicting** policies. Even though they are conflicting, BOTH policies still allow employees to have coffee, tea, soda, etc. for FREE while on the job.
AAFES policy states: While employees are on shift, they are authorized to have **unlimited** brewed coffee, tea, and fountain soda.
Starbuck Policy says: free beverages during work hours only before or after a shift or during a break and they must be entered into the computer for inventory tracking. The expectation is every barista is to sample coffee, espresso, milk and pastries to ensure quality and knowledge to provide effective information to customers.

QUESTION CJ - - - - If BOTH policies allow employees to use product AND one of those policies goes so far as to say that employees are allowed **UNLIMITED** quantities of product how can any rational person say that they were stealing???
You indicated that 'V' strikes you as "disrespectful, mouthy, smart aleak (sic)..that can't respond to reason...and argue for the sake of arguing." Sir, with all due respect, I feel the same about you - - especially the part about responding to reason. In particular you are arrogant and opinionated and will attempt to insult anyone who doesn't agree with your view point. OK - - I've told you what I think . . . go ahead and blast me too.
ANd while you're at it, stop hiding behind 'CJ'. Tell us your real name.

We did the same things everyday. We went through 4 general Managers and suddenly when the new one arrives she finds issues with our food policy and accuses us of stealing. NOT!
V I definitly understand about your son. I was there and I know the truth.
God Bless all the Starbucks Crew at both stores. Hold your heads up high and we will prevail.

Keith. All you have done is show what a pompous fool you are. You go through great lengths to look intellectual in your defense of employee theft. I have you pegged. I certainly am glad i don't know you. You are exactly the type of person I absolutely detest. To take up the cause for these employeees should embarass you. As far as using my real name...CJ ''is'' the name I have had all my life. I personlay think that is your own business to share your last name ...but it certainly is not a wise thing to do in this day and age. I am sure that make no sense to you either. There is no give to you. After all, in just a few clicks of the keys and a $1.98, anyone could find out where you live, your phone number...and even send you a picture of your house. Frankly, I shake my head in amazement at people who share private info over the internet. Especially combative oafs like yourself. You are entitiled to your opinon, but I think most people would side with me and not be surprise at all that a business was accusing some workers of ill behaviour. That is the norm or today. It is good to see Starbucks and AAFES take a stand against these kids..and i assure you..they are kids to me..even if technically they are adults ...stiffs like you alwasy focus on the remedial nit picky details. The point is it rediclulous to completely discount these accusations about these employees.

By the way..this is a blog...and you are not in charge of anything. There are no tight rules here and not many things would be considered a tangent. You ar a piece of work and really full of yourself.There is no blasting here....I am at ease with how I feel about this. You can go ahead and openly voice support for employee theft. It only points out futher what kind of a person you are. You are your worst enemy. I don't have to do anything to make you look bad..you are doing fine all by yourself

All Starbucks are located in prime spots. Althought their stoes are small, they still have very expensive overhead. On top of that, Starbucks has relatively small inventory of items that are not high dollar. The owners often also have to pay expensive franchise fees..even AAFES. A business of this type can have ''very few thing not go exactly to fanchise rules'', or it will fail to make enough profit. Stabucks are a very fragile business and it is a struggle for a business like this to stay on top of things...small problems are not small problems to a business like this. Why don't more people here realize this. I am sure everyone has noticed how expensive food items cost now. The recent increase at the grocery stores over the last 2 years is alarming. It has been amazing that restaurant prices have been holding steady. That may be getting to change very soon...and stories like this may be just the beginning of more like it. Restaurants are having big problems right now. Starbucks is no different.

Thank You CJ - - you have just proven my comments to be correct - - as stated before, you're arrogant and opinionated, and will attempt to insult anyone who doesn't agree with your view point.
I'm certain all the reasonable folks following this will take note that your entire post was nothing more than an angry attack. And why so angry - - because I blew your argument clean out of the water.
If you are so certain of your opinion why didn't you defend it by answering my question with some intelligent thoughts rather than spouting a stream of vitriol?
Sir CJ - - I would not be a bit surprised if you were but a ‘kid’ compared to me as well - - but that’s really not important.
As for using my full name - - I have nothing to hide. I am fully aware of how easy it is to track folks down on the internet. I do it all the time as a part of my own business. I don’t have a clue what kind of business you run (I wish I did so I could be sure not to patronize it) but I am a respected Mt. Vernon business owner myself since 1977. I can be found on multiple websites.
Yes, there are a few whack-jobs that I should perhaps beware of - - but I wouldn’t want to name any names. Of course, if it comes right down to it they are relatively easy to ferret out as well.
Will be gone for a day - - will check back when I return.
Nytol . . . .

Keith..You do realize The Patch is a Nationally Syndycated news outlet tied in with Hufington Press/Aol..right? I am not really sure why I get some articles sent to me from other cities..but they are right here on my homepage along with articles from my own local Patch. I like Patch articles. I am retired US Army. Been retired out for over 25 years. Have had my own businesses (actually now on my 3rd business) since I got out. My employees ruined my first business (home remodeling). I bailed out of the second one ( a restaruant franchise) out of disgust for the work pool. I now run a a business with my sons and don't deal with the public as much..but I sure don't miss it..or the high school and college age kids I had to deal with.

I live in Kansas, and also own a home in St Petersburg, Florida. I am not sure why that is even relelvant , just like my full name. This article stands alone as a news story I read and commented on..and regardless of whether I live there or not...you would have to be living in a daze to not agree that across the board..any fast food place you go..the service is dreadful. I am not saying all businesses with young people are like this..just reastaurants. You seriously don't know what a headache it is dealing with the youth of today in restaurants.

I have explained plenty of things to you. It is ''you'' who is not open minded. Of course all these local Starbucks people are going to try and cover their backs. I am just saying I think they are all lying and you are too dumb to realize it also. So...AFFES Loss Control people are nuts? That's a pretty weak argument..but it's all you got.

I am done here..this blog is spent and worn out. When I encounter someone like Keith, it often brings to mind a line from one of my favorite songs by Hank Williams Jr..''A Country Boy Can Survive''...when he sings the line:..''I'd like to spit some beechnut in that dude's eyes''...

I find little use for people in this world that defend the wrong cause. Employees attitudes like this help degrade our country. Between all their stealing, their cell phone calls, their texting, being rude to cutomers, being late, not comeing in, not calling in, wanting unscheduled days off, not wanting to clean anything, poor sanitation, sneaking off to smoke, drug use, ...honestly..I could go on and on with this list.. On top of this you have to put up with the dangers they pose to just fabricate some story about being hurt, sexual harassment, if they are ADD..ADDHD...''whatever''..bi-polar, on medications, gay, racist's , thugs....

I'm going to quit...nobody here is listening.

Thanks for the dissertation CJ. Please step away from the computer, slowly, come out of the basement, and take your meds or feed the cows or trip to OZ. I'm pretty sure the the CJ stands for complete jerk. I can understand why you don't deal with the public anymore after 2 failing businesses that depend on dealing rationally with the public. The only saving grace is that you live in Kansas so we won;t have to deal with you in Northern VA.

Hi all,

Thanks so much for your comments, just a reminder to keep it civil.

Jessie Biele, Local Editor

Thought I'd check in before hitting the road.
OMG!!
KANSAS . . . Long shot but does CJ stand for Carl Joseph? Tell me it's you and you've just been jerking my chain!!! That would explain a lot 'cause I really didn't want to believe anyone could have such a negative, twisted view of the world.

Too bad Dave's comment to me calling me a ''dolt'' got deleted. I don't see any reason for censorship. Nothing but people having fun here.

I looked up ''dolt'' in the urban dictionary..somewhat hilarious, really:
''A mental retard who is clueless not only about current events, but also has the IQ level of a rock''.

But, Dave. You went too far. Call me dolt, but don't call me a Mental Retard.

''Dolt''?
Yeah ..I can be that sometimes. My sons tell me so everyday.
But... I have a lot of compassion for the disabled....retard jokes are not funny.

Hi again,

Another reminder to please keep the conversation civil, and I also ask that conversations stick to the topic of the above article.

Thanks!
Jessie Biele, Local Editor

Everyone climbed on my back over the thief dispute, but I wonder why nobody ever replied back to my comment about wondering how fat a person would be if they had stolen $13,000 worth of Starbuck's drinks. I'm just sayin'...

If there is ''anyone'' I doubt this story is false about..it is ''that'' person.

But I think AFFES Loss Control is probably correct in most of the other accusations. That is what these people are trained to do. They know their job and how to bust people. Why is that an unreasonable position for me to take and for most people to beleive? If you want to align your support with anyone, it should be with the Loss Control employees. What ..their jobs don't matter?

''Think'' about this people.

Sorry, Jessie..you are right. If I have been over zealous in my retorts, I apologize. Seems nobody here wants to ''consider'' than many, or most, of the AFFES Loss Control charges are accuarate. I am sure AFFES Loss Control employees are trained on the conflicting rules that have been brought up..and they still made their charges based on sound grounds. I have confidence with the training in all aspects of the militray. It is the best training in the world. AFFES Loss Control is likely a fine organization of professionals...not simply Starbucks employees. I have tried to point out significant arguments on how AFFES Loss control should be geting more support. Afterall...they are protecting funds that go to our soldiers. When it come to the military...I ''always'' know where my support should be. I will always be on the side of the soldier. God bless those that are serving us as we speak. AFFES employees and also soldiers using their real names, probably have their hands tied here ..but would like to comment..but simply ''can't''. That is not so with me..so I am attempting to speack for them. I am now a civillian and not an AFFES employee..so my hands are not tied at all. I am sure there are plenty of people who would like to support more of my replies, but I am largely on my own here. I am confident I have a lot more support than it may appear.

This situation has just happened to my son here at AFFES on Fort Campbell. They are labeling him a thief for tasting the product with a toothpick when his manager told him too. Its isn't right and he is devastated because he says he did what he was told to do. He was told to always sample your product before putting it out by the manager to make sure the food was edible . They use toothpicks to sample it! They made him fill out a promissary note, sign a confidentiality form , told him it was best he quit or be charged with thief and told the other employees if asked why he left to tell people he was stealing from the resturant. The others that were force to quit have said the same. I will continue to probe into this situation until I get some answers and will take it as far as it can go.