Lakota's Philosophy(Policies & Procedures-continued)EMPLOYEE DISCOUNTSAs an employee you will receive a discount on products here at Lakota. Here are the current discounts: Espresso Drinks: One shift drink at no charge, 50% off any other time - on shift or off. Bulk Coffee: We pay wholesale price for coffee and 50% off for "day old" coffees on the coffee wall. Travel Mugs: 40% off on our nice travel mugs... Naked Juice: You pay our cost @ $2.10 + tax! Merchandise Wall: Please check with management for discounts on our merchandise wall... Food: 40% off on soups and sandwiches ANYTIME...We are also entitled to one free day old pastry per day... These are valuable discounts that we offer as a benefit for working here. Companies take tremendous losses due to theft. Not even paying your discount price is just another form of stealing. Please don't do this. Please: No sweetheart discounts! You know; when you give your discount to your friends, family, or "sweetheart". When you purchase something you MUST keep the receipt so that the staff and management knows you have paid for your product. For example, if you are having a coffee drink, pastry, or sandwich, please put the receipt on the table or bar next to your item in plain sight. I know, I know, it's not my favorite either, but it's a necessary annoyance. This just says, yes I paid, and yes, I paid the appropriate discounted price! It's uncomfortable for us to ask and for you to be asked, so please make light of this. Stick it to your forehead or whatever...but don't be a whiner... just put it out there! Please practice this at all times; On Shift or Off Duty!
OFF DUTY EMPLOYEESWe have been very lax on this subject and finally have to implement the following rule: If you are not working, going behind the bar is done ONLY with the Barista's permission. Ask permission and just let them know what you're up to. Once you've done that, you may come back and make yourself your favorite drink, your way. The only other reason might be to grab your paycheck. You are not allowed to go behind the bar to grab a pastry, make yourself a sandwich, or shoot the breeze... when we are busy. It looks bad when we have customers waiting in line and you blast behind the bar like it's your kitchen at home. Our guests don't know you're not on the clock; they just see that they're not being served. Most companies don't allow off-duty employees to come into the work area at all. When you have what you need, don't check yourself out. You must pay a working employee so that two people are always involved in the transaction. No one, besides working employees should be in the register anyway. If we're swamped, you must stand in line with our guests. If you're staying here to eat or whatever, this is when you take your receipt from the transaction and place it on the table or counter in plain sight next to your purchase. We want Lakota to be a fun, happy place, without too many strict rules and regulations, but customer service must always come first. If this rule is ignored, we'll be forced to come up with a stricter policy in the future. We'd rather not!
ON SAFETY AND COMMON SENSEThe best way I know to stay safe is to PAY ATTENTION and use COMMON SENSE. Sounds simple enough, huh? I've known a few people in my lifetime that clearly had no common sense. But it's not a perfect world so even those of us who do, forget to use it once in awhile. Sometimes, when we're lucky, it doesn't cost us anything but some embarrassment. Other times it can be tragic. Common sense is free. It is one of those wonderful gifts from, well... wherever gifts come from. Let's be wise and use it. All this really entails is thinking about everything you do, if only for a moment, before you do it. Take care in your handling of hot water, glassware, or anything, potentially hazardous. We are working on gradually de-chemical-izing (It's a word now!) the place but it's a process. The chemicals we do use for various reasons should be handled with care. It wouldn't hurt to read the labels and be sure that we are using, storing, and handling these products properly. We also have some equipment that you will be trained to use. Please don't use the meat slicer, coffee grinders, or any other potentially dangerous tools of the trade until you are adequately trained. The back landing, steps, and basement offer some hazardous terrain. I know we're all adults so all I'm saying is watch your step. The building that houses Lakota is a hundred years old and you can really see that when you're in the basement. The only other safety issue that needs to be addressed is the amount of lifting we all do at Lakota Coffee Company. In a days work, you may lift boxes, bags, and coffee buckets weighing from 20-50 pounds or more. The coffee bags are usually my territory but they weigh in at 132-152 pounds. A person with poor posture can hurt their back just bending over, so it's important to make sure you know how to lift.
This may seem a bit over-protective but lower back injuries can cause excruciating pain and continue to haunt you for years. Do all of your lifting even for lighter items as shown in the diagram and you will have a healthy back for life. Back to Top!
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