A McDonald’s store in Oregon is inviting children aged 14 to 15 to apply for restaurant jobs amid a labor shortage in the United States.
The cafeteria in Medford put up a sign outside two weeks ago asking teens to register, which is in line with local labor law.
This happens at a time when networks Fast food Other institutions in the United States are struggling to fill vacancies.
Heather Kennedy, restaurant manager at Medford, told Business Insider that this staff shortage is “unprecedented” in her family’s 40-year history of McDonald’s franchises.
At first, she tried to attract more workers by raising the restaurant’s wages to $15 (R$77.50) an hour, but she said that didn’t generate enough interest.
However, Kennedy said he has received more than 25 new applications since opening its doors to those under 16.
Salaries, bonuses and benefits
McDonald’s declined to comment on the move, but told the BBC that franchisees are using a number of measures to combat staff shortages, including better salaries, contract signing bonuses and more benefits.
McDonald’s also recently announced that it will increase wages to an average of $15 an hour at company-owned restaurants across the United States.
This is not the first network of Fast food To ask younger workers to fill vacancies.
Burger King and Wendy’s have made similar tags recently. According to reports, Layne’s Chicken Fingers Network in Texas is promoting workers in their teens and early twenties to management positions, amid a shortage of more experienced professionals.
labor shortage
Employment laws in the United States vary from state to state, but in Oregon, people age 14 and older can work in non-hazardous jobs such as food service as long as their hours are limited to accommodate studies and have adequate breaks.
However, this appears to be rare – the average age of a McDonald’s employee in the US is 27, according to a survey by job site Zippia.
There is currently a significant labor shortage in the United States due to fear of the coronavirus, school closures, and a lack of day care, which is keeping workers at home.
Some economists have also blamed the generous federal benefits granted during the pandemic, even though they have already ended in many states.
It has been particularly difficult to fill vacancies for low-skilled, low-paid jobs, leading companies like Walmart and Amazon to offer retention bonuses and higher starting salaries.
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Charlotte Whitmore is a contributor at Mediarunsearch.co.uk, covering a broad range of topics including news, politics, business, technology, sport, entertainment, and lifestyle. She focuses on delivering clear, balanced reporting and practical information that helps readers stay informed about current events and emerging developments. Her work highlights stories that matter to everyday audiences, with an emphasis on accuracy, relevance, and accessible journalism that keeps readers connected to the issues shaping the UK and beyond.