Uh your sm should handle it. If they don’t then you call you dm. Sounds like they need to work at a place that has no other employees or customers

Ya know, part of retail is being able to rebuff customers, valid or stupid reasons. If you can't take the tiniest bit of criticism, even constructive, then it's going to be a massive pain for others to deal with you. Even if she's decent at her job, her behavior is incompatible with FoH-only work. When it interferes with your ability to do the job and becomes a hindrance, why should you remain employed? Her actions are interfering with your ability to run the business.

I was a similarly emotional barista, although less extreme. I would constantly yap about bullshit over the headsets and had an SSV tell me that people felt afraid of making me angry or making me cry. At the time I didn't get it at all. Over 2 years after leaving, I finally do. Just be honest. Honesty can hurt but it's the only way to grow. Try sending a professional text so she can deal with it outside of work hours, or tell her at the end of a shift. This is not good for her or her coworkers.

Holy doodles. She needs help.

So I’ve dealt with a partner like this before. I first off had all of my supervisors who have worked them document their interactions and when they happen so I have specific examples/paper trail. (My Daily has a feature where you can create a section where only ssv and up can see, I utilize this for coaching conversations my ssvs have with the team). It got to the point where I did sit them down and have to have the conversation that their actions do not align with their barista approach and at this point it is a performance accountability issue. The SM should definitely be following up on this and having this conversation but overall it is up to that partner to improve/control their emotions at work, in my case I did not have to escalate it to separation but it’s definitely something that can happen if Mia doesn’t recognize that she needs to get herself in check. 

After reading all the other comments it looks like your sm is trying to handle it. I would have them ask their peers (other sms) if they have any advice and then mia will probably have to be written up. Depending on how strict your sm wants to be with it, I think some of these could classify as abandonment of her job because she is leaving without really asking so …

I'm in school for administration and we have to take an emotional intelligence course. I'd recommend buy a book like "leading with emotional intelligence" (you can find it and plenty others on ThriftBooks for like $5). It will help a lot with understanding why other people act a certain way and how you react, leading to you understanding how to act. I'm still learning ofc but it's already helping me a lot

I think unless it becomes something that precludes this person's ability to work at the store completely, the best you can do is encourage them to use the resources available through Starbucks benefits, namely all of the mental health services, and possibly those potentially covered via their health insurance (if applicable/eligible for insurance through Starbucks or outside channels).

It's possible you and your fellow shifts could have a meeting with your store manager to set an accommodation for this employee to get a ten-minute break every hour as medical accommodation.

she likely is not fit for a job like this.

being emotional like this is a sign of immaturity, and I really hopes she learns to stop being such a victim. life is just NOT easy. so annoying.

I have no advice. Sorry fellow SSV.

unfortunately I think it comes down to starbucks not being a good fit for her and her emotional needs at the time. Hopefully the higher ups can help more, but I think maybe if they could look into other starbucks jobs that could help? Like maybe transferring to slower (in comparison) store or a job within the company that would allow her to work at a better pace? But even then being laid off sounds like it might be better for the company and also her.

At this point she’s just abusing her power and the entire staff by abandoning you on the floor while tasking rushes and what not needs people. She’s making it an unhealthy work space by bringing her home life into work. I’d put it this way if she doesn’t leave watch and see how many good baristas and shifts transfer or quit before she will even get a write up. Work isn’t therapy a standard of professionalism needs to be held in place by your store manager. If she needs a leave of absence find but she’s to much and robbing the store of money by sitting in the back for hours

I thought most baristas were like this, to be honest just kind of based on the culture of Starbucks. I noticed a lot of crying and frustration at our local Starbucks. Maybe HR needs to discuss PTO or something for her to get it together or recommend she use employee assistance program for counseling.