حملة إلكترونية أم محاولة ابتزاز ؟

In an era where social media has become a battleground for emotional blackmail, it is easy for a "resigned employee" to fire a virtual bullet at an entire company, opening the doors to interpretation and igniting the public with a carefully edited clip, portraying themselves as an angel unjustly cast out of paradise.

One of the companies with branches selling shawarma, and one of the most successful Saudi brands in the food sector, faced a wave of criticism in recent days after a former employee - who has a history of absenteeism and lack of discipline - posted a video in which he attempted to play the victim... The clip spread like wildfire, and emotionally charged comments poured in, forgetting the complete story, and even disregarding what the company has provided in terms of job opportunities and a professional work environment for more than a thousand young Saudis who are currently employed!

From an absent employee to a "national hero"!

The irony is not only that the employee was not unfairly dismissed - he resigned himself - but also that he has a clear record of absenteeism and failure to adhere to working hours... (And of course, now they will say the private sector fabricated this against him)...

And suddenly, ladies and gentlemen, this person transforms into a national hero on platform "x", and a successful company managed according to labor market regulations becomes an opponent of false social justice slogans... and a barrage of questions directed at the owners begins: "Why don't you hire more Saudis?", "Why are there foreigners in management?", "Why? Why?" And just for your information, foreigners are present even in government and semi-government companies... and their numbers will increase according to the state's policy of economic openness... So why is all this fire directed at the private sector?

Is this retaliatory unemployment? What is happening today with this company is not just individual anger from an employee, but a troubling image of the reality of "retaliatory unemployment": where frustration turns into systematic targeting of any successful private entity, simply because it is available for attack... The private sector is the weakest link when feelings of injustice are fed without evidence, and the discourse of "absolute job rights" is left unchecked... instead of directing anger towards reforming labor systems or improving training and employment opportunities...

This company... a successful business, not a national account! Like other private companies, it is not obliged to manage its administrative decisions according to public whims... It is a commercial entity based on competitiveness and results, paying salaries, employing citizens, and bearing full responsibility for its success or failure...

What is happening here goes beyond criticism... It is an attempt to bring down an entity through a populist emotion ignited by public relations firms and fueled by accounts claiming patriotism, while playing from under the table...

Patriotism is not measured by tweets... Demanding justice from a company is one thing, and criminalizing it based on an emotional clip without any verification of the facts is another... True patriotism does not mean settling scores with the private sector through "trending topics," but rather means respecting the law, encouraging a work environment, and holding accountable those who fall short - whoever they may be.

No one is above accountability... neither the company nor the employee... But do not bring down a successful national company, built on the shoulders of committed young Saudis, just because an employee decided to "vent" on "TikTok," threatening the minister with "Do you want me to sell drugs?" and starting a performance aimed at the wrong audience in a country whose entire system is recognized by the world... A country with its own stature and successes that every Saudi lives and enjoys.

Stay optimistic...