Abstract
This study aimed to account for fast food chain employees’ experiences, responses, and insights in acquiring assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. The researchers used a qualitative approach and a phenomenological method of research. The participants were seven former fast food chain employees in Davao City who were laid off and lost their job because of the pandemic. Three themes emerged from the former fast food chain employees’ experiences, focusing on their challenges in accessing assistance. Four themes emerged in terms of participants’ responses to the challenges they faced in accessing assistance. Also, four themes surfaced based on the insights of the employees from the challenges encountered. Thus, the findings of this study suggest that the field of social work could help improve the participants’ quality of life through developing programs or services that could immediately respond to the concerns of former fast food chain employees.
