-Tamara’Shanay-

Cousins!

A North Carolina based Chick-Fil-A restaurant has folks eyebrows raised as they’ve recently announced they’re seeking volunteers that will be paid in food instead of wages for working at the drive through!

“We are looking for volunteers for our new Drive Thru Express!” reads a since deleted Facebook post from the Hendersonville, N.C., based store on Tuesday. “Earn 5 free entrees per shift (1 hr) worked. Message us for details.”

According to reports from the Washington Post, the store is breaking the Fair Labor Standards Act ( FLSA ) Laws indicating that employers must pay employees for hours worked.

Since receiving backlash from social media users, a spokesperson for the Hendersonville based franchisee has responded in saying the, “volunteer based opportunity,” was based only intended for anyone who thinks it’s a good fit for them. They’ve also stated that it’s completely different from a full or time position of employment.

“We’ve had multiple people sign up and enjoy doing and have done it multiple times,” the store wrote in a separate post. “People who sign up for this chose it voluntarily.”

A spokesperson for Chick-fil-A, located in in Atlanta has also come forward following the N.C volunteer opportunity.

“Most restaurants are individually owned and operated, and it was a program at an individually owned restaurant,” the spokesperson said in a statement. “This was not endorsed by Chick-fil-A, Inc.”

It has been indicated by director of communications for the North Carolina Department of Labor, Jennifer Haigwood, that the agency doesn’t have jurisdiction over volunteers or any situation between an employer-employee relationship, and that the FLSA’s requirements regarding private for-profit employers “are clear that there cannot be an employee who provides ‘volunteer’ work for that for-profit employer.”

Cousins! What are your thoughts on swapping food for work?