Worker Sparks Debate Over Letting Customers Steal: 'That's on Minimum Wage'

Viewers were divided after a Norwegian TikToker claimed he doesn't care when customers steal from the store since he only earns minimum wage.

Petter Warming, 20, known as @stresseddepressed, posted the video on August 2 where it received nearly 670,000 views and 300 comments. The video can be found here.

Low Wages

Although the TikToker works in Norway, the conversation about low wages is widespread throughout the United States, with more than 47 million Americans quitting their jobs since October 2021 in what has been termed The Great Resignation.

Americans are unhappier than their Northern European counterparts, with Finland, Denmark, and Iceland taking the top three spots for happiest citizens, according to the 2022 World Happiness Report.

The United States and the United Kingdom came in 16th and 17th, respectively.

A survey conducted by Pew Research found that 57 percent of workers who quit their jobs in 2021 felt disrespected at work, with 63 percent blaming low wages and lack of opportunities.

'Take It'

"Me noticing someone in the store stealing on my 14th self given smoke break," the on-screen text of the video read.

In the TikTok, Warming looked up from his phone while at work and pretended to see a customer shoplifting. But rather than react, Warming jokingly sang the lyrics from Ariana Grande's song "Break Free."

"If you want it, take it," Warming lip-synced as he threw his hands in the air and walked off-screen.

"That's on working minimum wage," the caption read.

Warming told Newsweek he was surprised by the reactions to the video and said he agrees with the users who suggested he not intervene if someone is actually shoplifting.

"I have come across a few people trying to shoplift," he said. "But most of them are kids trying to be cool in front of their friends. The faces of the one's shoplifting are always shocked like they thought they would get away with it."

Viewer Reactions

"I mean hey minimum wage minimum work," one user said.

"Some lady wanted half-dead flowers for free and I said I can't sorry," another said. "She [asked] what if I just take them, I said ma'am idc I don't get paid enough."

"To be fair, you really shouldn't risk your safety to stop them," another said. "You rlly don't know what ppl are capable of."

"Why am I gonna put my life on the line for my $11 an hour?" another asked.

"Same I'm not chasing anyone for 12 an hour are you fr," another agreed.

"Not all heroes wear capes," one user said.

"What are they going to do? hire more people?" another asked. "Nah nah, my exploited bun knows we're short staffed."

Other Viral Employees

In a viral Reddit post, an employee was praised for turning down a job because the salary offered was less than a livable wage.

In other viral posts, a worker was applauded for quitting their job when the boss tried to dock their pay after a vacation.

Another employee was bashed online after they made a joke about a co-worker's bike crash.