Steers Condemns Viral Video of Staff Gardening, Promises Retraining
Johannesburg – Fast-food chain Steers has issued a public condemnation following the circulation of a viral video depicting restaurant staff performing gardening work outside one of its outlets. The company has moved swiftly to address the incident, emphasising that it contravenes established policy and compromises both labour and food safety standards.
The video, which angered many on social media earlier this month, shows employees clearing substantial weed growth outside a Steers restaurant on 7 January. The footage ignited public outrage, with many questioning the appropriateness of assigning outdoor maintenance tasks to food service workers.
In a statement released on Thursday morning, Steers confirmed its awareness of the incident and announced the launch of an internal investigation. The company explained that the situation arose due to a delay in exterior maintenance services scheduled by the landlord following the busy December holiday period.
According to Steers, the restaurant manager, in an effort to maintain a tidy appearance, instructed employees to pull weeds. While acknowledging the importance of a clean exterior, the company stressed that such tasks should never be performed by restaurant staff.
"This is not standard practice at Steers and is unacceptable," the company stated. "It’s clear that the individuals involved made the wrong judgement call."
Steers has confirmed that discussions are underway with the landlord to ensure that dedicated service providers are responsible for future exterior maintenance. Furthermore, the franchise owner has received a formal notice regarding the incident.
In direct response to the video, Steers has mandated immediate retraining for all managers at the affected restaurant. This retraining will focus on labour practices, adherence to stringent food safety regulations, and the importance of maintaining clear role boundaries for employees.
To prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future, Steers is also strengthening its operational guidelines across its entire franchise network. The company reiterated that all franchisees are required to fully comply with South African labour law, as well as Steers’ own rigorous food safety and brand standards.
The company's statement further reads: "Steers is committed to addressing practices that undermine the dignity, working conditions, and safety of our staff."
"We value our customers and team members deeply, and they are always our top priority," the statement continued.
Steers has pledged to continue monitoring compliance across its restaurants to ensure that standards are upheld and that employees are treated fairly and with respect. The company aims to reassure the public that it takes such matters seriously and is committed to maintaining a safe and dignified working environment for its staff. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of clear operational guidelines and the need for ongoing training to ensure that all employees are treated with the respect they deserve.
The incident involving Steers follows a similar controversy in KwaZulu-Natal, where a Ladysmith taxi association issued a warning to motorists and teachers, instructing them to stop transporting pupils to school without operating permits. The Mhlumayo Taxi Association's directive threatened to stop any vehicles found carrying passengers, raising concerns about legality and potential impact on school transport.
These events highlight the ongoing need for vigilance in upholding labour standards and ensuring fair treatment across various sectors in South Africa. Companies and organisations must remain committed to ethical practices and responsive to public concerns to maintain trust and uphold their responsibilities to both employees and the wider community.
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