McJob Pettition Gains 1,000 Signatures Per Day
UK Press Releases
November, 2007
McDonald's has brought its campaign to change the dictionary definition of 'McJob' to a close with the announcement that it has attracted almost 105,000 signatures from McDonald's employees and members of the public - equivalent to 1,000 signatures per day across its three-month duration.
The petition has also gained widespread support from high-profile public figures including:
• 35 MPs who signed a Parliamentary Early Day Motion in protest of prejudice in the service sector
• Leading figures from the worlds of business and education, including: David Frost, Director General, British Chambers of Commerce; Sir Digby Jones, former Skills Envoy; and Kevin Hawkins, Director General, British Retail Consortium
The petition was also taken on tour to McDonald's restaurants in 37 towns and cities across the UK. Over the course of the tour, more than 130 key local stakeholders including MPs, councillors and other prominent figures pledged their support. The petition has now been submitted to the Oxford English Dictionary for review.
David Fairhurst, Senior Vice President, Chief People Officer, McDonald's, said:
"Our petition to change the dictionary definition of 'McJob' started one of the biggest debates for years on the contribution of service sector work to individuals and the economy, and we're delighted with the support we've received during recent months. Its genesis came in the strength of feeling at McDonald's that the current definition is out of touch with reality and ultimately insulting to the hard-working people who serve the public every day."
"With the clock counting down to London 2012, the challenge for the sector is to capitalise on the momentum that the petition has created. The petition may be closed but we hope that others in the service sector will be encouraged to take action to drive reappraisal. We remain committed to doing all we can to change misconceptions and build the confidence of service sector workers so they receive the credit they're due when they take centre stage in 2012."
Notes to editors:
1. The 'McJob' petition launched on 23 May 2007. People were able to pledge support in restaurants, online and by text message from June-early September 2007
2. McDonald's has a proven track record of investing in the development of employees and offering flexibility as part of its commitment to being a modern and progressive company. In fact:
• McDonald's entered the FT Best Workplaces rankings for the first time in 2007 and was one of only five organisations with more than 10,000 employees to be included
• In 2005 McDonald's became the first large multi-site employer to achieve the new Investor in People Profile status
• 80 per cent of McDonald's restaurant management started as hourly paid crew members
• One in five McDonald's franchisees started out as hourly paid crew members
• The average tenure for a McDonald's restaurant manager is 10 years
• Restaurant crew can choose the hours that they are available for work in advance and their shifts are scheduled within this availability
• Parents can work during schools hours with holidays off, while students can work around college and university, often transferring between restaurants during the holidays
• McDonald's is one of The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers for the eighth consecutive year
• McDonald's was listed in the Guardian's 'Britain's Top Employers 2007' awards
• McDonald's was listed in the Times 'Top 50 Companies Where Women Want to Work' awards 2007
• McDonald's was named Caterer & Hotelkeeper's 'Best Place to Work in Hospitality 2007'
