“Love Ppl, Love Coffee” (Unless They’re Employed Here) - Barista Indaba Coffee Employee Review

Company has a long history of hiring 1-2 token diversity hires but NEVER promoting them. Consistent/ hard work is not recognized while being superficially friendly to customers/owners is rewarded. Lots of expectations for employees that receive minimum wage, inconsistent schedules (one week will have 32 hours, next will be 8), no holiday pay, and no benefits. Training is 2-3 days, you get drilled with information, very little actual hands-on practice, then you're basically on your own while managers/coworkers are required to assist you while helping customers (not fair for anyone). Constant harping on "love people love coffee", too bad that isn't applied to the employees whose labor is largely responsible for the success of this business. Had my one-year review, received all good feedback, aside from small notes regarding milk steaming. A few weeks later, was fired on the spot for no reason, at the end of a shift. I was going on a 3-week long international trip (to see family for the 2nd time in my life, not a random or frivolous vacation) and had submitted my time-off request several months in advance. Was told repeatedly that coming back would be no issue, as employees often leave for months at a time and return with no complications or unnecessary hoops to jump through. Felt very unnecessary and disingenuous. More notice would have been nice, I could’ve had a new job by now. I could’ve said goodbye to my coworkers and favorite regulars. Very careless and irresponsible in terms of providing someone's source of income.