HOME / NEWS / HUMAN INTEREST

TikToker Ben SLAMS Red Lobster for its unethical sick leave policy in viral video

Ben, known as @benwithabee on TikTok, took aim at Red Lobster in a now-viral video over the restaurant's unpaid sick leave policy for employees

A TikToker took aim at Red Lobster in a now-viral video over the restaurant's unpaid sick leave policy for employees. Ben (@benwithabee) used TikTok to comment on an article published by Mashed. He is known for talking about labor rights and ethical company practices. Ben remarked in the video, “If anybody’s ever worked in the food or retail industry, they would know that paid sick leave is like this mystical, mythical creature that hasn’t been seen for thousands of years." 

He quoted an article by Popular Information where a Red Lobster spokeswoman stated that the company's paid-time-off policy is typical of the industry. According to the statement, “There are some states that have paid sick leave requirements, and where that is the case, we follow the law and honor and pay it. We take health and safety very seriously and have an Ill Employee Health Policy in place that is designed to keep both employees and our guests safe. No one is allowed to work sick. Employees who violate this policy are subject to disciplinary action, including termination of employment.”

READ MORE

Viral TikTok video reveals how HORRIFYINGLY dogs are stored on flights

'Amazon down': Warehouse staff dance, play baseball in viral TikTok videos amid outage

Those one or two employees who miss out on their work due to illness are usually unpaid during their absence. Ben said on TikTok by referencing the article by Popular Information, "Red Lobster only provides paid sick leave to employees in some regions, such as states where it is mandated by law." Speaking about Red Lobster's statement on the issue, Ben said on TikTok, “I fucking love s**t like this. It’s consistent in our industry to treat you like s**t, so we’re going to. If these companies could pay you literal s**t, they [would].” 

Ben's TikTok video, which he captioned, “Please don’t force sick people to make my food", has received comments from several TikTok users. The vast majority of users agreed with Ben that appropriate paid-time-off policies are almost non-existent in the food and retail industries, and not just at Red Lobster.

One TikTok user wrote, “If these companies could keep you in a barn and pay you with hay they would.” Another remarked, “Ohh [absolutely] if a company can get away with it legally they’ll do it." Another person added, "The restaurant sector is maybe the most exploitative industry in America, which is a very disgusting title.” 

However, some people did not think the critique to be helpful. “Instead of making s**tty TikTok’s where you just bash pretty much most business why don’t you don’t you change the world for us,” someone suggested. Ben responded to the remark saying, “I think the best place to start Is by having a conversation! I don’t like seeing people being taken advantage of. Sorry, you were offended by this!”