KFC spokesman Rick Maynard said the three unidentified female employees were initially suspended for allegedly bathing in a dishwashing sink in Anderson, Calif., but were later fired over the incident, the (Redding, Calif.) Record Searchlight said Thursday.

"KFC has zero tolerance for violations of our operating standards, and our franchisee has taken immediate action by terminating the employees who were involved," Maynard said in an e-mail.

The incident came to light after photographs of the female workers that allegedly show them bathing in the sink were posted on a MySpace profile.

The suspected bathing incident at the fast food restaurant could have significant repercussions for the Anderson eatery as well, senior environmental health specialist Fern Hastings of Shasta County's Environmental Health said.

Hastings told the Record Searchlight the photos appear to indicate the employees allegedly wore only swimsuits or underwear while bathing, a violation of a clean employee clothing state regulation.