Muffin Break’s general manager has issued an apology after attracting a huge backlash for claiming millennials are not prepared to work for free to advance their careers.
In a recent interview with news.com.au Natalie Brennan said there has been a decline in the number of young people asking for work experience or unpaid work.
“You don’t see it anymore. Before that [10 years ago] people would be knocking on your door all the time, you couldn’t keep up with how many people wanted to be working,” she said.
Brennan said she would "run programs" due to the number of people seeking unpaid work.
“In essence they’re working for free, but I can tell you every single person who has knocked on my door for an internship or work experience has ended up with a job. Every single person, because they back themselves."
She added that young candidates today think “they’re better than the job” and later went on to blame social media.
“I think everybody thinks social media is going to get them ahead somewhere. There’s definitely that inflated view of their self-importance because they have X amount of Instagram followers or this many likes. That’s dangerous,” she said.
Brennan said it seemed like young staff wanted to be applauded for doing their jobs.
“I’m generalising here, but it definitely feels like this generation of 20-somethings has to be rewarded even if it’s the most mundane, boring thing, they want to be rewarded for doing their job constantly.”
Brennan’s remarks were met with a fierce backlash online over the weekend, with many unimpressed with her characterisation of the younger workforce.
I liked how the #MuffinBreak boss criticised young people for wanting to be “applauded” just for doing their job. It’s kinda like corporate execs expecting short and long term bonuses just for doing their job. I blame social media.
Hmm, pretty hungry. Might go to Muffin Break and ask them to give me 200 free muffins because it'll be good experience for them. Anyone want anything?
Employer complains staff won't work for free or lower pay. https://t.co/iAIZtFd1vm
Dear #MuffinBreak. I’m not sure your food and coffee will provide the sustenance I need. I am, however, willing to give you the opportunity to provide me with free food for 6 months. If satisfied, I will happily give you a written recommendation you can use to persuade others. 👍🏻
Politicians weighed in.
The “entitled millennials” #MuffinBreak are exploiting for free labour in the name of “career advancement” (LOL) are the same young people struggling to manage full time study, work, rent, groceries and 10 years worth of debt (on average) #Auspol
Muffin break view of millennials is offensive and plain wrong. They think they’re doing workers a favour by letting them work for zilch. Muffin break needs to comply with law, apologise to young workers and, I dare say, make a grovelling apology in order to save their business.
As did the unions.
Millennials have had enough of being robbed. Robbed of wages, robbed of ever having a job with paid leave, robbed of ever owning a house. Good on them. Those doing the robbing had better watch out.
Note to Muffin Break. People should be paid for the hours they work. Full stop.
And so, on Monday, Brennan – who has worked at Muffin Break’s parent compant Foodco for almost 18 years – issued an apology.
“The recent article does not reflect my values or those of Foodco. Every day for the last 25 years I’ve worked with young people who are motivated, passionate and hard-working. This is as true today as it was when I started my career," she said.
“I don’t expect anyone to work unpaid and Foodco Group policy is, and has always been, that all employees including interns, employed either directly or through our brands are paid according to relevant awards.
“The unpaid work I referred to was supervised programs run through schools, TAFEs or universities, which provide valuable gained experience to people before they enter the workforce full-time. I want to apologise for any misunderstanding or upset caused by my comments.”