McDonalds already pay us the least they possibly can, but if they can get away with it, they’ll pay us even less. Here are a few thoughts on how to try and make sure you receive the pitiful wage you’re legally entitled to.
Firstly, and most importantly, never assume that just because you have clocked in for a shift this means you will be paid for all the hours you work. Theft of wages is rife, we keep hearing about this, it really can’t be emphasised enough. Managers alter clock card entries to save on labour costs, i.e. they might clock you out a couple of hours before you actually stopped working. This practice has been exposed at our store twice and we have heard of it occurring on numerous other occasions. We have NEVER heard of a manager being dismissed for this offence. Widespread fraudulent theft of employees' wages in order to save the company money is not a cause for dismissal, taking a drink without permission potentially is. The managers do it because they are under so much pressure from their bosses to keep costs down, but there can be few clearer indications of the depravity of the system and the degeneracy that it breeds that servile, two faced, pathetic managers are prepared to steal from minimum wage workers, not even for themselves, but for a $35 Billion a year corporation. DON’T LET THEM GET AWAY WITH IT! Record the hours you have worked and check you get paid properly. If needs be make the shift running manager sign a piece of paper every shift indicating the hours you have worked and the length of your break. NEVER TRUST THE BASTARDS TO PAY YOU WHAT YOU’RE DUE!
Also, managers sometimes say a day is double time when it isn’t really in order to get you to work. If you’re in any doubt then it’s worth checking with the human resources department or getting signed confirmation from the shift running manager.
If you attend a staff meeting (crew/ training squad meeting, safety circle, rap session, etc.) then you are entitled to payment at your full hourly rate for the duration of the meeting. So clock in! Managers will probably tell you not to clock in and will say that they’ll sort your money out later, complying with this means you will almost certainly not get paid, either because of deliberate fraud or just because of incompetence. The UK crew handbook states “it is your responsibility to clock in and out when you start and finish work”. For once do as it says.
If you are doing a short shift and are only entitled to a 15 minute break then you don’t have to clock out for your break (EU).
If one day you have to go to work at another store then you are entitled to payment for time spent travelling between your store and the other store and any costs incurred.
Do not accept any deductions from your wages (for lateness, breakages, cash shortages, new uniform, etc.) as this practice is illegal.
Getting sick pay/ maternity pay if you work for McDonalds is not easy and the regulations vary from country to country, but do not assume it’s impossible. Your entitlement will, of course, depend on statutory provisions in the country where you work.
During your period of employment you will accrue HOLIDAY PAY. A lot of this gets kept by McDonalds. If you’re thinking of quitting suddenly and not working your two weeks notice then make sure you get any holiday pay you’re due put through first. Insist on collecting your holiday pay every year (you’re not supposed to get the money in lieu of holidays not taken). You’re legally entitled to this money but McDonalds are very adept at stealing it.
If you’re offered a bonus, insist the manager puts it through before you do the extra work, get written confirmation and check your wage slip to make sure you have indeed received it.
You should also try and make sure that you’re not paying too much tax. Especially if you started the job part way through the current financial year, it’s possible you will be on the wrong tax code. For example, in the UK, you are allowed to earn some £4000 without paying any tax (you are still liable for National Insurance contributions). If you think you have been over taxed then take a recent wage slip to a tax office and hopefully they will give you a cheque (it takes a few weeks), and the government will have a bit less cash to spend on killing Iraqis.
Finally, don’t forget to take advantage of McDonalds great generosity and concern for its employees. In the event of a death in your immediate family, you may be entitled to receive paid leave so you can nip along to the funeral.
And remember kids...
"Our competitors can try to copy many of our secrets, but they cannot duplicate our pride, our enthusiasm and our dedication for this business. There is no single factor more important than the dedication and effort of McDonald's employees. The McDonald's spirit is exclusively ours and yours." Andrew Taylor, President and CEO of McDonalds UK
Comments