A young Starbucks employee recently went viral after posting a video of themselves crying during a shift. In the clip, the barista explains how hard it is to juggle full-time college and long hours at work. The video quickly sparked a wave of reactions online—some felt deep sympathy, while others said it was just part of growing up.

The emotional video hit home for many. The worker said they were only three and a half hours into an eight-hour shift and already felt exhausted. What made it worse was being short-staffed and feeling unsupported by management. For many viewers, this wasn’t just about a tough day—it was about what happens when stress, school, and poor leadership all collide.

Trans Barrister has meltdown because 8 hours is too long to work on a day… pic.twitter.com/IfVSzZ4G0w

— Sebastian Gorka DrG (@SebGorka) October 30, 2022

In the video, the employee shared more than just tiredness. They spoke about deeper problems—like being misgendered by customers and criticized for taking sick days, even though they’re neurodivergent and have personal health needs. They also described working full weekend shifts, from open to close, with little help and no backup when a teammate called out.

They explained how their manager removed himself from the schedule, leaving only four workers to run the busy store. This decision made the barista feel invisible and unimportant. Many people online agreed—managers should lead by example, not disappear when things get tough.

However, some on Twitter took this opportunity to offer their perspectives.

 

The Cost of College and the Price of Burnout

For students in the U.S., working while in school isn’t a choice—it’s a necessity. Tuition, rent, books, and food add up fast. Surveys show the true cost of college is much higher than many expect, often forcing students into jobs just to stay afloat.

In the video, the barista said they work about 25 hours a week while going to school full-time. It’s no surprise they felt overwhelmed. Many viewers said they’d been there too—crying in the breakroom, wondering if they could keep going. The tears, they said, weren’t just about the job. They were about everything piling up at once.

A Bigger Conversation About Work and Respect

The barista’s breakdown did more than just spark debate—it opened a deeper conversation. Some said younger workers should “tough it out.” But others argued that it’s time for change. They pointed out that just because older generations struggled doesn’t mean today’s workers should suffer too.

The story raised tough questions: Should long hours and understaffing be normal? Do managers care enough about their teams? And why are we so quick to judge people who are clearly struggling?

One thing is clear: everyone has a breaking point. This video showed how stress, disrespect, and poor leadership can push someone to theirs. Whether people saw the barista’s tears as weakness or bravery, the message came through loud and clear—workers deserve to be heard, helped, and treated with respect.

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