Nykia Hamilton, the woman who was fired from her position at Burger King a month after being filmed running one of their restaurants by herself for 12 hours, has now revealed the real reason she lost her job.
Earlier this month, we reported on the story of the mom-of-three who garnered praise on the internet after her tireless efforts at one Burger King branch in Columbia, South Carolina in July.
Sources at the time detailed how the mom-of-three was the only employee working that day, meaning she had to organize and see to all the stations by herself, including the front desk, the drive-thru counter, and of course the making of the food itself.
“[She’s] doing the fries, the burger, the chicken sandwiches. She’s doing everything by herself,” one customer who filmed Hamilton said, in a clip that later went viral.
“She’s doing everything she needs to do to make sure everybody is okay in here.”
In an interview with WACH Fox 57, Hamilton explained that she was working alone due to a staff shortage brought about when someone quit the company on short notice.
One month later, however, she was let go, taking to TikTok to claim that Burger King had fired her.
“[Burger King] fired me because I’ve been late because of my kids,” the 25-year-old said. “My kids come first. Y’all don’t pay for no babysitter, or nothing.
“I’m already aggravated, I’m already depressed, all of this mental s***, and motherf****** fucking with me, so leave me alone.”
Hamilton admitted she was struggling to find childcare for her young children during shifts, which would sometimes last for 12 hours.
Burger King, meanwhile, later confirmed Hamilton’s dismissal. In a statement issued to the New York Post, they explained:
“Terminations are the decision of the franchisees who own and operate the BK restaurant.
“In this situation, the franchisee confirmed that the individual involved is no longer employed due to repeated attendance issues.”
In the wake of losing her job amid her new viral fame, Hamilton set up a GoFundMe page that has amassed an incredible $132,000.
“This has all been so surprising. I didn’t expect this support and love from people. I really appreciate it… It means a lot to me and my children,” Hamilton told the Daily Mail.
What’s more, Hamilton said she’s been offered employment at Target, as well as roles in hospitality, insurance sales and distribution.
She added: “I didn’t ask for this support; I was advised to set up the GoFundMe. I try to ignore the negativity, because I know myself and my heart and what I do for my kids, but it has affected my son.
“He’s made because he knows I’m a great mom and I have a big heart. But I told him that we live in a world of negativity, so you have to take the positives and keep pushing.”
Here’s to wishing Nykia Hamilton all the best moving forward.
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