Today's fabulous guest on The Coffee Life is the lovely Tazmin. 2020 wasn't great for her, she is one of the unlucky ones who lost her job (in a terrible way) due to Covid, so please go over to her Instagram and give her lots of love!
How are you?
I don't think I have been faced with a period of time that forces me to work on myself which has been quite spiritually freeing. I have had really dark days, especially at the start of the first lockdown. I like to believe I am coming out of this year (2020) a better person by understanding myself more.
Where do/did you work?
I was head barista for Coffee Lab The Square.
How has Coronavirus affected your job?
Furlough was rather tricky; how can a minimum wage job be lowered to 80% if MW is meant to mean living standards?
Redundancy on the other hand was heart breaking. To see a store, you've put so much effort in for, drop you and carry on to employ less qualified staff who I know to have slandered the company and most of the senior management team? I wouldn't wish it on anyone.
What has been the biggest challenge you have faced in the Coffee Industry through 2020?
Job security. I have had some pretty bad experiences whilst trying to continue employment such as contract breeches and general f*ck overs, and the jobs that I am offered where I would love to work (mainly London) just aren't enough pay to warrant a commute and it's definitely not enough to consider moving.
How have you felt about the Coffee Industry in 2020?
This may sound strange but I feel left out. From not working in a dedicated coffee environment I don't feel like I am a part of a community anymore, which really sucks.
What is something you've missed in the Coffee Industry in 2020?
The regulars. Majorly the regulars. I miss caring for people, in service and just as a friend. When I first lost my job, my mind went straight to the people who I would probably never see again and how I find it unfair that I wasn't even able to say goodbye.
How has Coronavirus/Lockdown affected your mental health?
I have figured out over this year that I centre myself around my job, how there is a direct correlation to how hard I work and the pride I take in my job to how I feel about myself. But now I have four sources of income, however unstable they are, I am concentrating on university as well as my general health.
What are you looking forward to in 2021?
Starting fresh. No expectations for the New Year. I think this year has shown us what can happen, and I would hate to go into the New Year with any excitement. I want to use the year as a stepping stone. Who knows where I will be in a years time?
Find Tazmin
Instagram - Click Here
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