World reacts to millennial comments by Muffin Break general manager

Muffin Break general manager Natalie Brennan. Photo / Supplied

From New York to Newcastle, the general manager of Muffin Break has incited debate surrounding the idea that social media has given a generation of millennial workers an "inflated view" of themselves, leaving them unwilling to work for free.

Natalie Brennan, the general manager of Muffin Break, told news.com.au she began to see a decline in young people and new graduates approaching her business for unpaid internships about 10 years ago.

"There's just nobody walking in my door asking for an internship, work experience or unpaid work, nobody," Brennan said.

"I think everybody thinks social media is going to get them ahead somewhere," she told news.com.au.

"There's definitely that inflated view of their self-importance because they have X amount of Instagram followers or this many likes. That's dangerous."

"You don't see it any more. Before that, people would be knocking on your door all the time, you couldn't keep up with how many people wanted to be working. In fact I'd run programs because there were so many coming in."

According to the general manager of Muffin Break, entitled Millennials have been given an “inflated” sense of self-importance due to social media and are no longer willing to do unpaid work to advance their careers. https://t.co/2JXlLQ96Jm

— news.com.au (@newscomauHQ) February 23, 2019

She feels like young people want to be applauded or named "staff member of the month for doing their job".

"Great, you did your job, so you get to keep your job," she said.

"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."

But many labelled Brennan's attitude too harsh on young workers.

Some said if university graduates approach a business as a skilled candidates, they're not out of line to request things like being paid for work. Others pointed out if the business relies on unpaid workers to survive, the model might be wholly unviable.

Social media users have jumped on the Muffin Break boss' comments, saying situations like this only benefit the company.

Millennials have 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.

— Sally McManus (@sallymcmanus) February 23, 2019

Young people are "entitled" because they want to be paid for their work? Pshhhh. Entitlement is thinking that you deserve someone else's free labor. #socent https://t.co/IVt6rQd5ob pic.twitter.com/MIazzrhfKm

— Angela Morabito (@AngelaLMorabito) February 23, 2019

Hey Muffin Break:

) ) )
) ( ) ) (
_(___(____)____(___(__ _
\ If you can't afford to /
\ pay a living wage, / |
\ you can't afford /__|
\ to run a /
\ business. /
\___________ /

— Australian Unions (@unionsaustralia) February 23, 2019

I've been in this country since the 60's, and no one has worked for zero to get ahead as a recognised route. This "no longer willing" is rubbish, and Muffin Break should start running a viable business instead of asking for free labor.

— Are You a Corrupt Pollie? (@CricketnBeer) February 23, 2019

A New York Times writer and novelist warned the blowback for the muffin boss's comments could be severe.

I feel like the lady who runs Muffin Break in Australia complaining about how social media makes millennials think they’re too good to work unpaid “internships” at her pastry kiosks is gonna get a real lesson in what social media can do for your business.https://t.co/lWdqMbVQUs

— Catherynne M. Valente (@catvalente) February 23, 2019

But some disagreed, saying the opportunity to work in the retail sector can be invaluable.

"This entitlement stems from the participation certificates they get throughout their schooling, they are awarded for just being present and not for doing anything outstanding," Jill Atkins wrote on Facebook.

"With the amount of people commenting who don't understand what an internship or work experience is I think her point has been proven in spades right here," wrote Mark Barnes on Facebook.

"It's not working for free, it's an education and qualification to get a job they otherwise may not get. It's also not baking muffins it's talking to degree-qualified positions such as marketing with internships for uni graduates etc.

"I doubt half the people here even read the article and most just focused on the fact these role (which are short term and mostly based around education programmes) are unpaid."

Others have shared stories of mistreatment at similar chains while they worked at similar chains.

I worked at a rival coffee chain across the mall from a Muffin Break when I was at school. If we accidentally burnt a piece of toast we were docked a whole shift’s pay. I’m glad millennials have wised up to the exploitation these crappy chains have benefitted from for years. https://t.co/MfWKY0gy37

— Siobhan Heanue (@siobhanheanue) February 23, 2019

Overseas lovers of Muffin Break have tweeted to the UK branch, comparing the comments to slavery.

Hey, @muffinbreakuk, are you aware that your Australian branch is upset over workers wanting a wage? How dare they, right? I mean, slavery makes the world go round after all! https://t.co/CLb8JvLxLp #MuffinBreak

— Jason (@PressXtoJason_) February 23, 2019

While some have wondered, what's the deal with Muffin Break?

Is Muffin Break even a thing?

— Jake Smith (@_snakethejake) February 23, 2019

Is this like an ep of Seinfeld or is selling muffins literally a 'career' option now? If so, get Georgina Downer an application

— Eliminate The Mutants (@SoulReadr) February 23, 2019