A single mother from South Carolina, who gained attention online last month for effectively managing a Burger King location, has been let go due to “attendance issues.”
Nykia Hamilton, a 25-year-old mom of three, became an internet sensation in July for keeping customers satisfied despite staffing challenges at the fast food restaurant in Columbia, South Carolina. This was highlighted in a TikTok video shared on July 6.
However, just a month later, Hamilton reported that she was dismissed from her position after arriving late because of her responsibilities as a parent.
“Burger King fired me because I was late for my child,” she recalled tearfully in a video posted on August 8.
“My kids come first. Not everyone can afford babysitters,” she added.
“My heart is already crushed. I’m trying really hard to manage my child, but this is overwhelming. It feels like something is weighing me down,” Hamilton expressed.
She typically worked more than 12 hours at Burger King to provide for her family.
“One of my coworkers left me on my own, and I had to handle everything,” she explained. Wah News.
“We had to do it all—cooking, prepping, serving at the counter and drive-thru,” she said.
She also shared the emotional toll that long shifts took while trying to be a present parent.
“When I’m working so much, I’m missing out on my kids’ lives,” she said, fighting back tears. “I need to provide for them, but I don’t have the time, and that really hurts.”
The next day, despite her attempts to delegate, Hamilton found herself alone again during another closing shift.
“I closed up by myself again last night. Today I actually got some help, but it still doesn’t feel enough. It’s just so hard to find employees who want to work,” she noted.
Hamilton expressed her gratitude for the job, emphasizing its importance for her family’s well-being.
“With my past record, finding jobs is tough. It’s really a challenge,” she admitted.
“Thankfully, my manager gave me a chance, which is why I stayed for her,” Hamilton added.
Burger King acknowledged Hamilton’s termination, citing attendance issues.
“It’s unacceptable for team members to operate restaurants alone, even temporarily. We’re disappointed that our policy wasn’t upheld,” a company representative stated.
The spokesman further explained, “The franchisee has confirmed that this decision was due to repeated attendance issues with the employee involved.”
While they couldn’t divulge specifics regarding human resources matters, the emphasis was on ensuring proper staffing for an optimal customer experience.
Since her dismissal, Hamilton’s supporters have called for donations to her GoFundMe page.
At the time of publication, Hamilton had not yet responded to requests for comment.
