‘Denial of toilet, awarded 1 star: Viral Urban Company video sparks debate over gig workers’ rights | Today’s news
A video shared on social media sparked widespread debate after an Urban Company service professional claimed a female colleague was denied access to a customer’s toilet despite working at the home for three hours. According to claims made in the viral post, the customer asked her to use the security guard’s restroom instead.
A video that gained attention online claimed that the incident took place at a residence in Delhi.
According to the caption accompanying the clip on X, an Urban Company employee requested permission to use a customer’s washroom after completing three hours of work. The customer reportedly refused, directed her to use the security guard’s washroom instead, and later rated her one star.
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The caption went on to claim that the poor rating resulted in the service worker being blocked from accepting work through the platform for five days.
“In Delhi, an Urban Company partner asked a customer to use the restroom. The customer refused, told her to use the security restroom, and gave her a 1-star rating. As a result, the employee faces a 5-day suspension from work. This unfair punishment deserves an immediate review,” the post read.
“At least let them use your toilet”: A colleague speaks loudly
In a viral video, another Urban Company service professional expressed her disappointment over the alleged incident, saying she had never experienced such treatment despite working in hundreds of homes over the past six years.
“If someone comes to your place to work, at least let them use your restroom,” she said.
She added that she had worked in big houses and served influential clients, but had never been denied access to a washroom.
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The worker also asked why the customer mentioned the toilet request in the review and said, “Just one bad review from you will give that girl a one star rating. She might not get a job for the next five days.”
She expressed concern for her colleague, adding: “I feel really bad for that girl because she won’t have any income for those five days. Imagine the pressure she must be under.”
The video sparks a debate about the treatment of concert workers
The service professional urged customers to show more empathy towards gig workers, saying many people don’t realize how dependent service professionals are on individual bookings and customer reviews for their livelihood.
One user wrote: “It’s true that we can be more empathetic towards gig workers. This 1 star review was uncalled for and needlessly cruel.”
But does that mean the customer should have given permission to use their private toilet? Consider the fact that this video went viral on the same day another video went viral — where a delivery worker used a customer’s restroom despite her objections and then exposed his private parts to her. So there’s a security angle here.”
Another user wrote: “India needs job equality asap. People taking advantage of gig economy consider themselves maharajah. Seen how people consider service providers as their servants because they paid Rs 453.”
“Many households follow this rule. They don’t allow strangers to use their private bathroom. Good/bad, it depends on who says no and who needs it. Many households have a guest toilet,” wrote a third.
She further claimed that under Urban Company’s policy, customers are expected to allow service personnel to use the restroom whenever needed.
The claims made in the viral video have since sparked widespread debate on social media, with many users calling for greater dignity, empathy and fair treatment of gig workers who enter homes to provide essential services.
Mint could not independently verify the claims made in the viral video.
