Nykia Hamilton was manning each station inside the fast-food chain’s establishment in Columbia, South Carolina, last month when she rose to internet stardom.
A clip uploaded to TikTok saw a customer hailing the mom-of-three for her hard work, as all her colleagues failed to show up for work.
“[She’s] doing the fries, the burger, the chicken sandwiches. She’s doing everything by herself,” the customer said in the recording.
“She’s doing everything she needs to do to make sure everybody is OK in here.”
But despite her efforts, she was informed by higher-ups that she was being made redundant due to tardiness.
“[Burger King] fired me because I’ve been late because of my kids,” the 25-year-old told Watch Fox 57. “My kids come first. Y’all don’t pay for no babysitter, or nothing.”
Heartbreakingly, Nykia was working two jobs trying to make ends meet for her three young children before receiving the axe.
Burger King is yet to issue a statement on Nykia’s sacking, and people are beginning to speculate over why she was cut from the payroll.
One concerning theory posted on Reddit read: “Well, she’s clearly embarrassing the company, so corporate had to fire her before she again reveals they underpay and understaff. What sucks is that it wasn’t even her doing for going viral.”
With a second typing: “So she got fired for putting BK in a bad light which they created themselves by understaffing the restaurant?”
While it’s just sheer speculation, Nykia did speak with news outlets after blowing up – which people believe could have spurred on her sacking.
Nykia Hamilton shared how she received the sack after turning up for work late due to her kids (WACH Fox 57)
“Note that she did nothing wrong, she wasn’t filming, she was just doing her job. And everyone else’s job,” someone commented.
With someone else posting: “A great parable of the times. If you go above and beyond: you barely justify your existence.”
Before others highlighted that she did actually provide the reason for her sacking.
“She got fired for being late to work,” another informed users.
While another added: “She doesn’t dispute it, she just says how hard it is to work and raise kids.”
A GoFundMe has been set up to support Nykia and her family.
It reads: “I am a 25-year-old single mom of 3 who works 2 jobs. I just went viral for working on TikTok. If you wanna contribute, it’s OK. Thank y’all for the support.
“I wasn’t expecting my life to change how it did. I really do everything for my kids.”
UNILAD has contacted Burger King for comment.
Featured Image Credit: YouTube/WACHFOX
