When we think of all the problems associated with McDonalds we usually assume that it’s regarding the nutritional content or the abhorrent conditions that the workers have to function in, but the hardest hit things not our gastrointestinal tract and health, it’s our wallets and the wallets of the workers. While McDonalds profits from our packed pockets, their workers are barely paid and are often unable to afford life’s daily necessities. Are we really loving it when other people are hating it? For example, McDonalds and Visa collaborated to create a help website for workers; a “McResource Line” where workers could get help attempting to manage their finances, what they got instead was an insulting website that made outright foolish claims. They released a financial planning guide (see left) in order to mitigate the financial stress that most workers are going through, but how many of the claims are realistic? As the article “McDonald’s financial guide “insulting” to low wage workers” by CNBC showcases, the guide makes the claim that the employee works two jobs, pays only twenty dollars for health insurance, and does not have to pay heating. What kind of fantasy world are the McDonalds representatives living in? Not to mention the guide fails to account for food, water, and the cost of children, all vital components of life; in order to attain the suggested monthly net income (2,060$), a person would have to work more than 60 hours per week on minimum wage or make 12$ an hour on a 40 hour work week. Considering that minimum wage has been 7.25$ an hour since 2009, the idea that a McDonalds employee can put in that much time while shirking his or her other responsibilities is simply laughable.
But perhaps the money that McDonalds is withholding from its workers is going towards a good cause, supporting some philanthropic efforts or a foundation? If only this could be true, the article “McOutrage: Poverty Wages For Workers. Corporate Jet for Execs” showcases what does happen to the money, it goes towards a brand new jet for the McDonalds executives. This is absolutely reprehensible, the company says that it can’t afford to lift its employees above the poverty line yet it still has enough to buy a twenty-seven million dollar plane? Workers have to settle with the “McResources” telephone help line, which in the case of Nancy Salgado (see the video), resulted in advice to apply for food stamps and Medicaid for her and her two children. The government can apparently take better care of McDonald’s workers than the actual company itself, does that even make sense? The National Employment Law Project undertook a study on October 2013 entitled “Super Sizing Public Costs: How Low Wages at Top-Fast Food Chains Leave Taxpayers Footing the Bill”, showcasing how exactly money is being funneled to pay rich executives rather than the hard workers. For example, McDonalds spent 13.7 million in order to compensate CEO Donald Thompson, they are not in dire financial constraints at all, in fact, McDonalds made a profit of 5.46 billion during the 2012 fiscal year. Then why is it that a company that can afford to spend and receive so much is unable to pay the cogs and gears that comprise this fast food machine? The study also showcases that McDonalds spends twice as much (1.2 billion) in public assistance projects for its employees than its second greatest competitor, Yum! Brands (Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, Kentucky Fried Chicken). This practice of financial neglect and frivolous spending is simply outrageous and should not be encouraged by any standards.
What really showcases McDonald’s lack of understanding of its work force is another guide created by the “McResources” group, where it showcases how out of touch the company is with how much its workers earn. In the article “Outrage as McDonald's gives its workers advice on tipping AU PAIRS and CLEANERS as fast food staff strike in 100 cities” by Dailymail, the website contains a chart (see left) suggesting on how much a workers should tip the help, with sums ranging from one week’s pay for an au pair, and one evening’s pay plus a gift from the child when it comes to a baby sitter. Again, with all the expenses a family goes through, is it really wise to suggest that they tip the help the money that they toiled and worked over for hours? McDonalds continues to dig its grave deeper and deeper, as the site, which was taken down suggested that the workers eat stale bread and return gifts if they were running low on funds. Of course, people are speaking out against the lack of financial security that McDonalds fails to provide their works, and it’s plain to see why. Through ceaseless agitation and declaration of their rights, perhaps workers will be able to say “I’m loving it” when it comes to their jobs.