'I don't expect anyone to work unpaid': Muffin Break boss who accused Millennials of being 'lazy' apologises for saying they won't do internships because they want to be Instagram influencers
- The general manager of Muffin Break has apologised for controversial interview
- Natalie Brennan said youths were no longer coming to her for unpaid internships
- Social media was outraged at the comments, threatening to boycott the chain
- Ms Brennan has apologised for the comments, saying they were misconstrued
Muffin Break general manager Natalie Brennan has apologised for her controversial interview
The general manager of Muffin Break has apologised for accusing millennials of being 'lazy' in the face of widespread backlash.
Natalie Brennan broke her silence on Monday morning, retracting comments alluding to her disappointment in young workers being unwilling to work for free.
In an interview that went viral over the weekend, Ms Brennan said she had noticed a trend of young people refusing unpaid internships within the business, citing their 'obsession' with social media.
Many interpreted the comments as Ms Brennan trying to exploit workers by underpaying them, taking to social media to threaten a boycott of the cafe chain.
She has now issued an apology, saying her comments were misconstrued.
Ms Brennan said her comments about youths refusing to take unpaid internships at Muffin Break were misconstrued
Ms Brennan says the interview published on news.com.au Saturday did not represent her views.
'The recent article does not reflect my values or those of Foodco (the chain's parent company),' she said on Monday.
'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.
'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.'
Social media users lambasted the general manager's comments, saying they would give the business the same treatment it gives to unpaid interns
Foodco also issued a separate statement.
'Our policy is, and has always been, that all employees including interns, employed either directly or through our brands are paid according to relevant awards.
'We are proud that for almost 30 years we have provided jobs for thousands of young Australians and we will continue to do so.'
The apology comes after millennials, who Ms Brennan accused of being obsessed with social media, took to the platform to voice their anger.
'Why should we work for free? Working for free won't pay our rent or feed our children!' one wrote.
'Can't work for free these days. Living costs are exceptionally high to be working for free,' wrote another.
Others honed in on Ms Brennan's comment in which she said majority of her interns went on to paying work, with one writing, 'Going to muffin break tomorrow for a free breakfast and if it's satisfactory I might pay next time.'
Many on social media threatened to boycott the cafe chain (pictured) after the interview
Ms Brennan said the rise of Instagram celebrities making their livelihood online gave young people a false sense of self-righteousness and was resulting in a lack of people applying for unpaid work.
'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,' she said.
Now, she said, instead of people knocking on her door for internships which only reward them with on-the-job experience, most were unwilling to 'put in the hard yards'.
She also claimed youths she interviewed had a sense of entitlement she had never seen before, often before they had even been offered a job.
She said there was now an expectation that 'you're going to come into a company and be the general manager or CEO in five years... with candidates asking, "how long before I get my promotion?" when interviewing.'
The Australian Council of Trade Unions joined the affray, saying nobody should work for free
The Australian Council of Trade Unions secretary Sally McManus hit back, saying millennials had '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.'
The group's official Twitter account wrote: 'People should be paid for the hours they work. Full stop.'
Ms Brennan went on to recall incidents in which constructive criticism toward employees was skewed to seem like a personal attack.
'I'm generalising, 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.'
Online media is now a profitable market for Instagram models and is a legitimate full-time career, with some online stars making thousands of dollars for a single post.
Generally, the influencers are expected to pose alongside a product and provide a review.
Ex Bachelor alumni Sopihe Tieman has made a successful career out of influencing after her time on the hit show
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