Janet in Community News On May 17, 2021, 5:30 pm

myBurgerLab Fined RM25K After Employee Was Caught Eating In The Shop, Saman Later Retracted

myBurgerLab fined RM25K for employee eating before shift

We’ve all been trying to keep our chins up during the Movement Control Order (MCO). But it continues to be an uphill battle for many, including restaurants that are seeing fewer customers swinging by for food with dine-ins no longer allowed.

myBurgerLab, a well-known burger joint in Malaysia, was placed in an especially tough situation after they were slapped with a RM25,000 fine. Authorities had allegedly issued the fine after an employee of theirs was found eating at the restaurant 15 minutes before his shift started. The fine was later retracted.

Worker was eating dinner ahead of his shift

On 16th May 2021, myBurgerLab took to their Facebook page to share the incident as a warning to other business owners, who may be at risk of the same fine and “headache” if they were ever caught in a similar position.

According to the post, the employee had been eating at the restaurant at 5.15PM ahead of his shift that started at 5.30PM.

A screenshot of a text message alleged that the police came by during this time, and told them that they would be issuing a RM25,000 fine as the staff who was caught eating wasn’t wearing his uniform. A CCTV screenshot of the incident also shows several individuals, presumably authorities and the staff in question, outside the premises where the incident took place.

Image adapted from: myBurgerLab

After they were fined, the burger joint questioned if employees and staff must hide while they were eating at their workplace, and if they must be wearing uniforms when doing so.

They also said that actions such as these by the authorities can harm businesses that are all struggling to stay afloat and risk shutting down – presumably because of the exorbitant fines for MCO-related offences on top of the slow down in business due to the MCO.

Image credit: myBurgerLab

In an update to the same post at 8.15PM, myBurgerLab thanked their followers for their support and shared that authorities had fortunately retracted the fine.

However, they had to offer proof of the employee’s employment and work schedule to defend themselves and the employee against the fine.

They also said that authorities did not give them a “solid answer” when they asked whether staff were allowed to eat in the store during their breaks too.

Netizens say fine was not justifiable

myBurgerLab’s post had many netizens coming out in support of the burger joint against the RM25K fine.

One Facebook user commented, “Even a warning is not well justified, as this is not a customer but a staff who is ‘dining in’.”

Image credit: Facebook

Another netizen commented, “It’s rather disappointing to see such [a] merciless incident, especially at this tough moment.” They also sent their support for the burger joint by asking the team to stay strong.

Image credit: Facebook

Some also suggested that they set up a staff dining table to avoid confusion, including this Facebook user, who said, “How about put[ting] one of those signages at the table for ‘staff meals only’. Other tables and all the chairs are stacked up, right? That should be a clear indication. [You] can ask the enforcement officers if that is okay. This can happen to anyone. And if fined, we can appeal in court. Everybody is making a living and have a job to do. Lots of challenges now. Take care.”

Image credit: Facebook

myBurgerLab fined RM25K for employee eating before shift

It’s been tough times for businesses operating during the MCO, so the last thing that anyone wants is to face a fine for alleged SOP violations. Such is the case, unfortunately, for myBurgerLab when they were fined RM25K after an employee was caught eating at their premise before starting his shift. Nonetheless, we’re glad that the fine was retracted after they produced documents to prove their staff’s shift.

This incident also reminds us to play it safe so as to not end up in the same situation.