Java House Africa, one of the leading coffeehouse chains in East Africa, is facing criticism from its staff members over poor management practices in its various Kenyan branches.
According to an anonymous source, the company is run by three women who have a "very bad attitude" and are "killing" the restaurant chain.
The top management team at Java House is made up of Maureen Mithamo, who serves as Head of Corporate Affairs, Naima Hassan as Chief Operations Officer and the Group CEO Priscilla Gathungu. The source, who requested to remain anonymous, revealed that the staff members are forced to work for 11 hours a day, with no breathers or tea breaks.
The opening shift starts at 6 am and ends at 3:30 pm, and the closing shift begins at 11 am and until 9 pm. In busy branches, the closing shift can go on until 10 pm.
The shortage of staff in almost every branch has resulted in overworking of attendants. "Remember we are working on holidays, and the above leadership is unable to solve annual leaves, and staff motivation is wanting. These three slay queens are killing Java House Restaurant," the source added, attaching the memo shared below. These allegations have put the Java House management under deep scrutiny.
The company, which operates over 80 outlets across Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda, is known for its high standards of service and quality products but the recent revelations have raised serious concerns about the welfare of its staff members.
When reached for comment, a representative from the coffeehouse declined to comment on the allegations, stating that the company does not discuss internal matters in public.
The company has faced similar criticism in the past, with some former employees accusing it of mistreatment and underpayment.
In recent years, the coffeehouse industry has come under increased scrutiny, with many customers and employees calling for better working conditions and fair pay.
While some chains have made efforts to improve their practices, others, like Java House Africa, have continued to face backlash for their alleged mistreatment of workers.
It remains to be seen whether the coffeehouse will be held accountable for prioritizing profit over the well-being of its staff.
The company must address the concerns of suffering staff members to maintain its reputation as a leading coffee chain in the region.