TikTokers defend video of barefoot pregnant Wendy’s worker

No shoes, no shirt, no service. These are the rules that customers must follow in most fast food establishments. But what about the workers?

A TikToker (@capitalpaparazzi) questioned Wendy’s health codes after they captured video of a worker at a Virginia location appearing barefoot and pregnant.

The user let the world know how he feels about this, captioning it: “Disgusting health code violation at Wendy’s in Virginia, employee wears NO SHOES!”

The Daily Dot contacted @capitalpaparazzi via TikTok comment and Wendy’s via email.

@capitalpaparazzi Disgusting Health Code Violation at Wendy’s in Virginia Employee WEARS NO SHOES! #wendys #barefeet #fastfood #viral #gross #nasty #discusting #sick #fastfood #hygeine #noshoes #osha #violation #virginia #brutto #viral #fyp #mustwatch #wild #feet #wendysdrivethru #news #fastfoodworkers #paparazzi #washingtondc #healthdepartment @wendys @fox5dc @nbcwashington ♬ Original sound – CAPITAL PAPARAZZI

This isn’t the first time a fast-food worker has been caught red-footed. In 2019, a customer snapped a photo of a Jack in the Box employee preparing food without shoes.

When the customer called Wendy’s head office to complain, the company said in a statement, “Employees are required to wear non-slip, closed-toe shoes to promote workplace safety.”

In general, the rules at most fast food establishments require employees to wear issued uniforms with black non-slip shoes.

But not everyone cares about those rules, which explains why the majority of people in the comments section of @capitalpaparazzi’s video actually sided with the barefoot employee.

“Bruh, they don’t serve your food with their feet,” commented the first user.

“What’s the difference between dirty feet or dirty shoes?” another wrote. “It’s a bigger security risk for them than it is for you. She doesn’t prepare food with her feet,” they added with a shrug emoji.

“I think ……. do their feet touch your food?” a third argued.

A supposed food inspector even chimed in: “As an inspector, it is not a food safety violation, but it is a health and safety violation for that individual employee,” they wrote.

“Safety concerns, not a health hazard,” wrote another.

Many people sided with women, with commenters noting that pregnancy can cause foot swelling.

“Their feet don’t touch your food and if they do, it’s extra flavor! She looks like she’s pregnant, her feet are probably hurting and she needs to make money,” wrote one commenter.

“She’s pregnant… which can lead to swollen feet. Maybe she’s another reason why she still doesn’t serve you with her feet,” added another.

Many women shared their own stories of being uncomfortable during pregnancy.

“I remember how much my feet swelled up when I was pregnant, I wasn’t kidding. I was in pain wearing shoes which I had to buy 2, 3 large sizes and still hurting my feet,” commented one mother.

“When I was pregnant I had a burning sensation on my feet when I wear socks or shoes, leave that poor woman alone, she’s working during pregnancy,” added another.

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