5:30 pm, moderated by Emily
Ground rules
- Read Code of Conduct
- What we are discussing is such a personal and difficult, we need to be extra careful in how we talk today.
- 1. Please do not name people, unfortunately we are only three people as community organizers, however, we do have a small list of resources for you, for anyone who needs it, and if you feel more comfortable talking to someone one on one, within your community, I would be happy to talk with you and assist in any way I can.
- 2. We are here to share some of our stories or experiences, but be aware that this can be triggering for others.
- 3. No video or audio recording is allowed, as we want people to freely share
Reactions to news of lawsuit
How did you hear about it?
- from coworkers
- from cafe owner where they worked
Was a lawsuit necessary?
- Recent allegations against an Oakland chef – reported harassment in newspaper, but not lawsuit – did not seem to enact much change in culture
- Consensus was yes
- Sounds like it’s more important for community members to be supportive of each other
Was it shocking?
- California sets a precedence for rest of country, in terms of HR. Shocking in the sense that it’s been poorly handled.
- Not exactly shocking as a woman
- As a barista, people go to the counter to tell you all sorts of things
- Coming from the unhealthy kitchen culture, coffee is not as bad, which still does not justify any harassment
- spending a lot of time unpacking the events for non-coffee people
What’s happening inside?
- unknown, can’t speak for employees
- One news article said it would be 2-3 years before it would be turned to 100% employee owned
Employee-invested?
- does a name change change a culture
- It’s an industry trust issue that’s at risk here
- problematic to see customers commenting and praising the name change
- working at coffee was refuge from restaurant culture, but not immune to harassment and assault
- calls for boycott are against two owners still involved, not its employees
- want to hear from the employees
What do you think the community response was like?
- choice is good- as a cafe with a wholesale program, you don’t have to support them
- impressed with the immediate response of wholesale accounts reacting to the news
- while receiving a call from someone looking to switch roasters- was asked “How are you doing? How are they treating you there?”
- At a cafe that was a wholesale client, they immediately dropped the roaster, but needed coffee. Was told by a local roaster, “Up to you on whatever decision you go with, here’s some free coffee for the week.”
- Hoping this is a catalyst for internal work in coffee businesses
What will you take away from these events?
HR –
- A thorough employee handbook is important
- a lot of companies aren’t thinking about growth or the future – no support for handbook or HR
- “coffee as a family” can also be a bad thing, trying to fit into a culture or gain favors
- work vs home- people treating work as home and taking advantage of blurred social lines
How can we use this momentum?
- write HR policies in the company
- Internal self work: what if I see this happen or hear about it again elsewhere, what am I going to do about it?
- ask permission to give advice vs straight up giving advice
- For companies- remember to convey your values with actions
What can the BACC do better?
- Guide of “what if this is happening to me?” Or offering anonymous support
- Bank of resources
- “know your rights” workshop
- Write your HR manual workshop or hire HR pro to write a HR manual template
Know Your Rights!
Free Legal Advice and Reading:
Berkeley Workers Rights Clinic: https://www.law.berkeley.edu/experiential/pro-bono-program/slps/current-slps-projects/workers-rights-clinic-wrc/
Department of Labor website: https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/disability/employeerights
Federal Equal Opportunity Commission: https://www.eeoc.gov/employees/charge.cfm
California Department of Fair Employment and Housing: https://www.dfeh.ca.gov/complaint-process/file-a-complaint/
Jobs Resources:
Sprudge Jobs: http://sprudge.com/jobs
BACC Jobs Board: http://hellobacc.org/jobs/#s=1
Building Your Own HR Department or Policies?
HR Resources: