If you want clean coffee and clean food, I suggest reconsidering Olivia Coffee…read more
I worked at Olivia Coffee for approximately two months, and my experience was extremely disappointing. I found the workplace unprofessional, felt I was not properly trained, and did not feel that my concerns were taken seriously.
I was criticized for making a coffee I had only learned how to prepare three days earlier. Instead of receiving proper guidance and support as a new employee, I felt more attention was given to my mistakes than to helping me learn and improve.
My biggest concerns were cleanliness and food safety. I repeatedly observed flies around the drink preparation area and landing on top of the pastries being served to customers. If you visit Olivia Coffee, pay attention to the pastry display and drink preparation area, as I personally observed flies in these areas. I reported this directly to the owner and was told an exterminator would be contacted. However, I never saw the issue resolved, and the owner did not respond further to my concerns.
I also have written messages regarding concerns about moldy sandwiches. An employee reported customer complaints about moldy sandwiches and mentioned a customer's sandwich that was moldy during my last shift. The owner acknowledged seeing a returned sandwich and responded that if another one was found, everything should be removed. An employee expressed concern that someone could eat the food without realizing it was moldy and said a quality check should be performed.
I am including a photo of a sandwich with a dark, fuzzy-looking spot on the bread that concerned me. I cannot confirm what the spot is from the photo alone, but, combined with the messages about the reported mold concerns, it raised serious questions for me about food quality and handling.
I also personally witnessed a managers take drugs from a customer while on shift. I reported what I witnessed directly to the owner, but I did not observe any action being taken in response to my report. I found this concerning and felt that serious workplace issues were not being addressed.
Additionally, I have concerns about unequal treatment and potential anti-Black bias in the workplace. I felt that white employees received more training, better treatment, and more patience than I did. I observed white employees make drinks incorrectly without receiving the same level of criticism I experienced. I was criticized for a drink I had only learned to prepare three days earlier, while I felt other employees were given more room to learn from their mistakes.
After going nearly two weeks without being scheduled, my employment was terminated due to performance concerns and scheduling limitations. Two white employees had been hired and scheduled before my employment ended. Considering the differences in training and treatment I experienced, these circumstances left me questioning whether I was treated fairly as a Black employee.
Customers deserve clean food and drinks, and employees deserve proper training, respectful treatment, and management that takes legitimate concerns seriously. Based on my experience, I would encourage customers and prospective employees to consider these concerns before deciding to visit or work here. I hope management takes these issues seriously and makes meaningful improvements.
