McDonald's Hiring Spree Seeks To Change Perception of 'McJobs'

OAK BROOK, Ill. -- McDonald's Corp., seeking to change by the stereotype that working in fast food is a dead end, is holding a hiring blitz.

The company is making a well-publicized push to hire 50,000 workers Tuesday. However, McDonald's usually staffs up for summer anyway. A spokeswoman says last year, McDonald's hired 50,000 employees throughout April.

The burger chain is also eager to change the perception of the term "McJobs." It might be a tall order for a word that even the Oxford English Dictionary defines as "an unstimulating, low-paid job with few prospects."

The company says its jobs teach important skills and that many of its executives started as crew members.

McDonald's, based in Oak Brook, Ill., says franchisees will set wages but most pay more than the $7.25-an-hour federal minimum.

Comments

[Fuddgate]

05:54 AM on 04/24/2011

If these are the only jobs available to college graduates, why bother going to college? Sure, it's awesome going to college and learning all about our amazing world. If you're going to be neck deep in student loans and all there is after is Mickey D's, why go to college at all?

Welcome to Third World America.

[philss]

09:50 AM on 04/21/2011

curious about this media campaign on the part of corporate mcdonald's
since most restaurants are franchises I expect that this is nothing more than a piublicity stunt
\the parent corporation cannot force these franchinse owners to hire even one individual

[osofar]

06:22 AM on 04/21/2011

$7.25 an hour is big bucks, compared to what McD workers get in China. They are lucky to get the equivilant of $1 an hour.

[PsyGuy24]

11:42 PM on 04/20/2011

A job's a job. Putting in an honest days work is honorable, no matter where it may be. Definitely more honorable than collecting unemployment, welfare, and food stamps.

[tjohnson]

01:48 AM on 04/21/2011

Completely disagree. A job is not a job.
Putting in an “honest” days work while working under, out-right slavery, indentured servitude or being payed a less-than “livable" wage (two of these are forms of financial slavery) - these are not honorable practices on the employers’ part. Why is it always the employee who is required to be honest and honorable?
If you can’t afford to pay your employees respectable\livable wages, then you can’t afford to be in business. But, obviously, Mc Donalds could afford both. They just don’t. I don't think that is very honest and definitely not honorable.
McDonald's Corp. reported a 23% increase in fourth-quarter profit (Net income rose to $1.22 billion)
McDonald's profit up 23%
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/mcdonalds-profit-up-23-on-global-demand-2010-01-22

[osofar]

06:25 AM on 04/21/2011

If you work at McD's, you will be eligible for food stamps.

[fuzzynormal]

08:42 PM on 04/20/2011

Witnessing the aftermath of the hiring spree that took place in Cleveland I'd say they're not doing anything that dispels any stereotypes.

[kwyang]

08:17 PM on 04/20/2011

Anyone else find it funny they're trying to change the perception that McJobs are terrible but admits to not doing much about the reality? The language they use is particularly interesting, "teach important skills" is not actually a refutation of "unstimulating, low-paid job". I'm sure going to prison will "teach important skills" too, but you won't get many people volunteering to share a cell with a man whose nickname rhymes with "grapist".

[Mister Grumpy]

06:48 PM on 04/20/2011

Sorry Micky "D"........ it's NOT a problem of perception........... It's a known fact that jobs at McDonalds is low paying, and without benefits............

[Arts4u]

03:49 PM on 04/20/2011

Be sure to show up with your bribe money if you are an illegal. McDonalds takes all if the price is right!

'Three McDonald's Corp. restaurant managers in Savannah, Ga., were charged Wednesday with selling identities stolen from U.S. citizens to prospective workers, a case that federal authorities say shows the risks employers are increasingly taking to mask the hiring of illegal immigrants.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, said Wednesday that agents executed search warrants at two McDonald's outlets and the headquarters of McDonald's-NTG Enterprises, where they seized employee records and other evidence. The Savannah-based company owns and operates six McDonald's restaurants in the area.'

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704547804576261354204299950.html

[demilieu]

01:31 PM on 04/20/2011

Listed openings in TX. In-store jobs at around $8 an hour, mostly part-time 12-15 hours a week. Good for a high school student in the afternoon or evening. Or a retired person. It's McDonalds, not NASA, afterall.

[kwyang]

08:29 PM on 04/20/2011

Well, it also teaches our high school students the important job skills of working at McDonald's after their liberal arts education.

[FilthyHarry]

01:22 PM on 04/20/2011

Given they've chosen to do this during the current economic environment, I don't see how this is going to change any perceptions.

[nikkid39]

10:03 AM on 04/20/2011

I worked there many years ago as a 16 year old. One month was all I could stand. It was hard work and many times I went home with the palms of my hands red and tender to the touch from shaking those fry baskets. Many people need jobs, so in a way it is good that they are hiring, but there is something wrong when the workers make a little over minimum wage yet I read an article where the CEO makes 9.7 million. Yay, McJobs!

[RS]

01:16 PM on 04/20/2011

"Many people need jobs, so in a way it is good that they are hiring, but there is something wrong when the workers make a little over minimum wage yet I read an article where the CEO makes 9.7 million. Yay, McJobs!"

That's because the CEO KNOWS DAMN WELL that he (or she) has these desperate people you speak of BY THEIR PRIVATE PARTS! That is, he (or she) knows they can issue the following ultimatum:

"TAKE IT OUR WAY OR TAKE A HIKE!"

'Nuff said.

[nikkid39]

01:36 PM on 04/20/2011

Did you think that I was actually happy about this situation, RS? I was being snarky.

[frank day]

09:21 AM on 04/20/2011

Services. This is the new economy.

All of those new jobs we're hearing about? Yep, almost all are service jobs.

There is going to have to be some legal action and organizing to increase wages and benefits in this industry.

Ultimately, we'll all have to be OK with paying another .50 cents for our Big Mac Combo.

[levelshot]

08:12 AM on 04/20/2011

Looking all the media outlets covering McFilth hiring spree are doing their part in trying to convince the American people "Just Barely Making It" and you too can own your very own McFilth is the New American Dream.

[detalumis]

07:53 AM on 04/20/2011

Franchisees are notoriously cheap, it's the nature of the business. Maybe it's about time that charitable organizations start buying franchises with their donations and run them as non-profits paying living wages and such. It's about time to be a little creative.

[Robert 999]

06:17 AM on 04/20/2011

At $8.35 hr. if the husband, wife, both worked at the same McDonald's they could afford a one bedroom apt, and ride there bikes to work. Just think, if there's a Walmart close by, they will have it made..Does McDonald's offer Health Care, or will they have to do without?

[frank day]

09:19 AM on 04/20/2011

Its worse than you portray.

Mickey Ds won't give the couple enough hours. And no, they won't have health care, or sick pay, or vacation, or family leave.

[philss]

09:54 AM on 04/21/2011

a lot of walmarts even have mc donald's in them
just sleep in a tent at walmar6t at night and no need for an apt
now you are loiving like the high and mighty
lol