Essential employees
During quarantine, most Palo Alto High School students stay at home and are kept occupied with homework, hobbies and online extracurriculars. However, some students continue to go to work on top of that, including Paly students Kayla Stitt and Ilene Trach. Although the two of them may work in very different settings, they both have had to shift and adapt to new protocols and environments in various ways.
KAYLA & COFFEE
Text by MIA BALDONADO
CHANGES IN WORK AT PHILZ
“I
F ANYONE HAS a problem flexibility of online school has made her with their drink, we just have daily routine manageable. to have them toss it and then “I’m working a lot more — I’m workredo the entire thing because ing at 25 hours a week versus the 14 to 18 I we can’t touch it again after they’ve touched was working during the school week,” Stitt it,” Palo Alto High School senior Kayla says. “But honestly it [school work] is easier Stitt says. “That’s the protocol.” to manage since there’s less homework and Stitt is one of many students who more time to do it.” works an afterschool job. She has been Stitt has also observed that the coronaworking at Philz Coffee since last July to virus has generally changed the interactions help pay for college next year. between the staff and customers in a couple Due to the new protocol and shelter- of ways. in-place orders, Stitt now has to change “They [customers] will stand way furseveral different work habits. She wears ther apart from the table than they need gloves 24/7, keeps a and I can’t hear them,” mask on throughout says. “And then They [customers] will Stitt the entire work day other people are way and adjusted to a new stand way further too close and I’m like, system in which cus‘Whoa, that’s way too apart from the table tomers are limited to close.’” placing mobile orders than they need and I Since customers to avoid a crowded are no longer filling can’t hear them. And shop and maintain the shop with its usuthen other people are social distancing. al, busy ambiance, the Another aspect are pracway too close and I’m employees that has changed is tically quarantined the size of the staff. like, ‘Whoa, that’s way together during the Only half of the team day with minimal custoo close.’” was allowed to coninteractions. — KAYLA STITT, senior tomer tinue working, as the Despite this, the atdemand for employees has diminished as mosphere in Philz stays positive, as the a result of the restricted hours the coffee coffee shop provides a place for Stitt and shop is open. other employees to leave their houses and “We had to get retrained on how to hang out. work during the coronavirus,” Stitt says. “We’re bringing new baked goods in “We get paid the same, but tips are a lot every day for each other to try,” Stitt says. higher.” “We’re getting close — it kind of feels like Despite a busier work schedule, the a family.” v
“
STITT’S ON STAFF — Paly senior Kayla Stitt continues to serve as an essential worker during the shelter-in-place orders with a cheerful attitude. “It [the atmosphere] is very positive,” Stitt says. “I think everyone is very happy to see each other happy to get out of the houses... It’s nice to see other people and hang out with each other.” Photo by Kayla Stitt Art by Selena Cao
