A Wendy’s manager in Tennessee was fired after allegedly restraining a neurodivergent employee to kitchen equipment because she did not want to “babysit” the worker while handling her other responsibilities.
The unidentified employee was reportedly held in place by a makeshift restraint fashioned from garbage bags and attached to a metal counter at a Wendy’s restaurant in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, according to video obtained by WSMV.
“I actually felt sad for him,” co-worker Nicholus Murphy, who recorded the footage, told the outlet. “I actually wanted to cry.”
Michiko Burton, a manager at the fast-food restaurant, acknowledged tying up the employee but offered conflicting explanations for what happened.
She had previously told other staff members that she did it to keep the worker out of the way.
“She said that she didn’t want to babysit him, and that she needed him to ‘stay put’ so she could do whatever she was doing in the back,” Murphy said.
Burton, who was later fired over the incident, told police it was a “TikTok trend” that was “intended as a joke” and claimed the worker was “okay” with participating.
“If there was a TikTok trend, then where’s the TikTok?” Murphy asked the outlet.
After Murphy shared the video with supervisors, franchise officials held a meeting with restaurant staff.
“Whether it be a cruel joke or intended, I don’t care,” an area manager said during the staff meeting, which Murphy recorded.
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“Whatever went on a couple of Sundays ago is unacceptable,” the higher-up added. “Flat out. With anybody, it’s unacceptable.”
Burton was not charged or arrested after the worker said he was not upset or injured from being tied up.
“It’s unacceptable for anybody,” the area manager told workers. “That is why Michi is not here anymore. Michi is no longer a manager for us.”
About 20 percent of the world’s population is neurodivergent, with the designation being used as an umbrella term encompassing ADHD, autism, dyslexia and dyspraxia, among others, according to the Neurodiversity Directory.
“In the United States, an estimated 85% of autistic adults are unemployed, compared with 4.2% of the overall population,” the World Economic Forum found.
Any qualified neurodivergent employee is protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Police reopened the investigation and interviewed Murphy, the area manager and the employee who was tied up, looking for more information on the incident Friday, the outlet reported.
The independently owned location opened its doors in 2025.
Store officials condemned Burton’s act.
“The safety and well-being of our employees is our top priority, Wendy’s of Bowling Green told WSMV. “This behavior is inconsistent with our values and the standards we expect in our restaurants. Upon learning of the situation, it was promptly investigated and appropriate action was taken. We remain committed to maintaining a respectful workplace where all employees are treated with dignity and respect.”