In an era where every moment can be captured and shared online, the treatment of service staff is under scrutiny like never before. Stomper Alson, a former food and beverage worker, has shed light on this pressing issue after witnessing a shocking incident involving a Guzman Y Gomez employee.

On July 12, a Facebook post in the Complaint Singapore group went viral for all the wrong reasons. It brutally insulted a frontline worker, labeling them as a 'parasite' simply for responding to a customer’s complaint about their sweet corn order. Such blatant public humiliation raises critical questions about the respect afforded to service staff.

Alson shared his outrage, noting how this incident is not an isolated one. "Many service workers are becoming unwilling targets of public shaming through discreet photos and videos shared by customers on social media, often for trivial issues that could simply be resolved privately," he lamented.

Customers sometimes choose to air grievances online rather than address them face-to-face, which allows for hurtful comments and escalation of conflicts without any avenue for the worker to defend themselves. This alarming trend poses serious risks for servers, who may face career backlash if they react to such public shaming.

"While customers are entitled to express dissatisfaction with services, there's a fine line that should not be crossed. Complaints should be directed to management or posted as constructive reviews, not publicly degrading a worker's image online. Sharing identifiable images of staff without their consent invites harassment and can damage their mental health, affecting their lives far beyond the workplace," Alson insisted.

To combat this issue, Alson recommends that restaurants implement clear signage prohibiting unauthorized photography of staff. Signs such as, "Unauthorized photo-taking of our staff is prohibited. Legal action may be taken against violators," could help set boundaries and promote a more respectful dining experience.

He also urged restaurant management to encourage direct feedback channels, saying, "If your experience was subpar, please contact us directly. We value your feedback, but we urge you not to publish photos of our staff without consent." Such measures could significantly diminish the occurrence of public shaming.

Reflecting on broader implications, Alson called for authorities to explore stronger guidelines to protect service workers from modern-day public shaming. "Frontline workers deserve dignity and respect. Let’s not make their demanding jobs harder by transforming minor service hiccups into social media spectacles," he concluded.

This incident isn't new. Over the years, Stompers have recounted similar stories, including an instance where a woman verbally assaulted Sushi Express staff back in February 2025. The message is clear: it’s time to stand up for those who serve us. Let's foster a culture of respect, not ridicule.