Today there are not many jobs that you can start when you are a teenager and keep up well into adulthood.
In Australia, the latest statistics for the year ending February 2022 show that 9.5 percent of those in work (i.e., 1.3 million) have changed jobs, the highest annual labor mobility rate since 2012. It also shows us that 2 1 million people have also left or lost a job.
So, in our modern world, why does someone stay with the same company for decades? And what should Aussies look for?
We have found the perfect person to gain insight, Mcdonald’s Restaurant Supervisor Melissa Cooper. Melissa started at McDonald’s when she was 14 and has worked for the company for 25 years.
“I started when I was in school for some extra pocket money, then stayed because it was flexible, and I was in college full-time,” said Ms. Cooper.
“Some clients have known me since I was 14 years old and now know me as an adult.
“I have a good relationship with them. There are not many such jobs.”
The importance of flexibility in the workplace
When we asked Ms. Cooper what made her so loyal, she said that flexibility, career growth, and exciting opportunities all played a part.
“The great thing about McDonald’s is that as I’ve matured, I’ve been able to adapt my work to my life. I now have young children, and I can take the children to school, attend school meetings, focus on family life, and still learn, grow, and have a fulfilling career,” said Ms. Cooper.
“It has had such a positive impact on my lif ands others in our Restaurants.
“We have an employee who is casual with us, and with the flexibility on offer, she is competing in the National Javelin and is considering competing in the Commonwealth Games next year.
“We’re proud to see what people can become to work here, but at the same time, we also want to support them with flexibility and a job as they pursue their dreams outside McDonald’s.”
A focus on career development and growth is essential
In Australia, Mcdonald’s invests more than $40 million yearly in training and development initiatives and offers nationally recognized certifications in retail, hospitality, and hospitality.
Ms. Cooper said this is one of the reasons people choose a career at McDonald’s and stay with the company for years.
Several people who work at headquarters started at McDonald’s as crew members on the restaurant floor,” said Ms. Cooper.
“You can do an internship in school, or you can do them through McDonald’s, where you’ll be given time off the floor to complete all the online learning and bookwork required for a certificate two or three in hospitality.
“Essentially,y you get a paid qualification that could lead to management in the future, but at the same time, it’s good for people to put up their resumes, especially for those taking a gap year between school and college to get an extra qualification under their belt.
“My passion is people, human resources, training, and development.”
Ms. Cooper said that when she was promoted to Restaurant Manager a few years ago, she attended the McDonald’s Restaurant Manager Convention in Berlin.
“I’ve also had the opportunity to travel to San Francisco, Hawaii, and Dubai for other annual conventions, which has allowed me to meet colleagues from all over the world and learn different ways of working to apply for jobs at home,” she said.
Good values create a good culture.
Ms. Cooper reiterated that working with great people is the most attractive thing about a company.
“At Riverton, we are proud to employ people from 14 to 70 years old,” she told us.
“Margaret (70) has worked with McDonald’s for decades. Customers only come to see her.
“She runs our McCafé and talks to the customers in the dining room while making their coffee. We’re having all the Cannington Police Department come to Riverton to see her because she’s been serving them coffee for 25 years.
“I think that’s probably the best thing about McDonald’s and what keeps people there, it’s the people and the culture.
“It’s always been a nice place to work. Otherwise I wouldn’t have stayed there for so long.”
If you’re looking for a place to work, whether in high school, or college, have a parent, or are nearing retirement and want to work a few days a week, McDonald’s is for everyone. You can visit their website for more information.
