#trending: Burger King staff shouts ‘for at least 10 minutes’ at employee said to have special needs

SINGAPORE — In a viral TikTok video posted on Thursday (Sept 15), a Burger King staff member can be heard loudly reprimanding another staff member who has special needs. The footage has fired up many Singaporean online users, who are calling for Burger King Singapore to "take action".

TikTok user "Izwan Delex", who posted the video, claimed that this incident occurred at the Burger King outlet in ESR BizPark at Chai Chee on Tuesday at 10pm.

"(I) saw this awful sight of an uncle reprimanding this (autistic) / special (needs) staff loudly in a corner for at least 10 minutes while I was eating," the TikToker writes in the video.

"Had a tough time digesting my food 'cause of whatever is happening at that corner."

The video shows two men, both dressed in the Burger King service crew uniform and cap. The "uncle", or older man, appears to be berating the younger man, allegedly the staff member with special needs, about the black trash bags used for the fast-food restaurant's rubbish bins.

"Many scoldings happened even before I decided to record this because I was upset," Mr Izwan adds. "Couldn't even eat in peace, it was louder in real life. Smh (shaking my head)."

In the video, the older man can also be seen crushing and throwing the trash bags as he lectures the young worker, then shooing him away to complete another task.

Mr Izwan goes on to note that "even the manager who was at the counter serving 'zero' customers didn't do anything about the loud scolding" and wonders if it is a common occurrence.

"I'm not here to get anyone fired. But please, change how you talk or handle situations like this (with) a special needs person."

In just one day, the video has received 56,700 views and 460 comments. Users have been tagging Burger King Singapore's official TikTok account in the comment section, saying: "This needs to be addressed."

Some criticised the company's employee training on special needs inclusivity. Others took it a step further and argued that staff members should be taught to treat all fellow workers with respect, regardless of disability or seniority.

One person wrote: "Not only to special needs but don't be a ****** to anyone who is a (member of the) working class... We just want to work and go home 🥲".

Parents of children with autism also responded, calling the video "heartbreaking to watch" and expressing concerns for their children's future working environment.

TODAY has contacted Burger King Singapore for comments.