General Discussion

jmowreader

(52,917 posts)

144. Getting rid of "flexible schedules" would help too

Thu May 9, 2013, 11:34 AM

May 2013

Every fast food joint out there advertises "flexible scheduling." This is supposed to mean the company will try to accommodate the worker's life. In reality it means the employee's schedule will change every day and he/she can't plan ahead, make promises to the family or, if necessary, get a second job. That worker behind the counter with the thousand-yard stare going "welcome to happy burger how may I help you" in a dejected monotone not only makes minimum wage, she opened the store this morning after closing it last night...and last night was the night she had requested off three weeks ago because her husband was coming home from Afghanistan then.

Pay is only part of the problem. Fast food workers and retail workers aren't allowed to.have a life.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

190 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

The Customer Service Problem at McDonald's Is a Symptom of a Much Bigger Problem [View all] phantom power May 2013 OP

customer service pins are cheaper then a living wage. irisblue May 2013 #1

Of course those pins are cheaper. Marie Marie May 2013 #8

Kind of like the "Romney for President 2012" campaign pins? KansDem May 2013 #12

Yes, and you can treasure those pins forever tanyev May 2013 #15

And they're tax write-offs too SirRevolutionary May 2013 #30

It doesn't help when they just trippled the CEO'S pay! Maraya1969 May 2013 #125

Isn't it funny how they have to pay execs big money louis-t May 2013 #129

Great catch. I'll remember that. Flatulo May 2013 #157

Window Person of the Year in 1985 forthemiddle May 2013 #105

it heaven05 May 2013 #110

So.... RobinA May 2013 #160

I heaven05 May 2013 #168

*swoosh* SammyWinstonJack May 2013 #114

You can't put "pride in a job well-done" in the bank. Aristus May 2013 #123

this KentuckyWoman May 2013 #177

Hello, KentuckyWoman. Aristus May 2013 #178

Hi Aristus KentuckyWoman May 2013 #186

Well, they issued me an M1 tank to guard the gold with, so it was fun! Aristus May 2013 #187

Way to miss the point. jeff47 May 2013 #126

You were in high school gollygee May 2013 #131

I heard the fry timers beeping in my sleep after the first shift. SomeGuyInEagan May 2013 #149

Pffft. Iggo May 2013 #134

So, you own that McD's today? n/t Egalitarian Thug May 2013 #142

Millworker zipplewrath May 2013 #143

Glory Days! n/t HangOnKids May 2013 #162

Flame away? I don't think so! Rex May 2013 #170

They never ask the servers what would motivate them. Shrike47 May 2013 #2

When I was with Starbucks, they asked us... Chan790 May 2013 #24

pay them $15/hour and they'll be happy to be there and want to keep the job CreekDog May 2013 #3

Minimum Wage should be $15.00/Hour! BillyRibs May 2013 #74

yes CreekDog May 2013 #75

Yes. And give them cost of living raises too. lunatica May 2013 #96

As an employer, you get what you pay for. Ikonoklast May 2013 #4

I get an occasional coffee at McD otherone May 2013 #5

I think it's funny WeekendWarrior May 2013 #6

Absolutely Stewland May 2013 #20

A Costco in Brainerd, MN? WOW! I lived in Longville 15 years...what I would have snappyturtle May 2013 #50

Wow, we just got one in Burnsville, down in the metro area NickB79 May 2013 #151

And still give us great prices. Imagine that. n/t cui bono May 2013 #83

yes for those who say it can not be done with a profit Costco is a good example lunasun May 2013 #111

The CEO doesn't pay himself an outrageous salary either. Imagine that. SammyWinstonJack May 2013 #116

it's really all about the gold stars... LooseWilly May 2013 #7

bull. Scout May 2013 #9

I bet you were living at home too, instead of paying overpriced rent somewhere. hobbit709 May 2013 #11

But America is becoming a country of crappy jobs. Walmart is the largest employer in the US mountain grammy May 2013 #19

Min wage should be no less than $16/hr AAO May 2013 #22

You're right. It's the "conservative" in me trying to get out. mountain grammy May 2013 #26

We need to eliminate the minimum wage obxhead May 2013 #33

autoworkers now start at $14. HiPointDem May 2013 #78

Fight for 15 sign the petition lunasun May 2013 #115

It isn't usually teens in these jobs anymore gollygee May 2013 #21

Yep. Hassin Bin Sober May 2013 #35

You are right, it is not teens working there anymore dem in texas May 2013 #59

while i agree its no excuse to treat customers iamthebandfanman May 2013 #42

Erhhm, who says they hope to keep their job? LooseWilly May 2013 #49

How long ago did you work at McD? Back when min. wage was close to a living wage? SunSeeker May 2013 #58

I worked there as a teen tblue May 2013 #62

Right liberalmike27 May 2013 #64

You were young and earnest caseymoz May 2013 #67

It's clear to me liberalmike27 May 2013 #122

In America 2013 It Is A Sweat Shop HangOnKids May 2013 #163

+1 Spoiled helicopter kids expect good pay for their first job so they don't have to live... L0oniX May 2013 #176

Poop is poop, whether it is served with a smile or not. Warren DeMontague May 2013 #10

Yes. They need to follow the Trader Joe's model. JDPriestly May 2013 #13

+1 philly_bob May 2013 #52

That is one of the reasons I like shopping there...the prices are low but not worker pay. SunSeeker May 2013 #61

i do find customer service sucks at a lot of these type of places JI7 May 2013 #14

Where are you going in and out to? AAO May 2013 #23

In-n-Out. msanthrope May 2013 #51

LOL. cui bono May 2013 #82

I'm surprised they haven't gone completely automated . olddots May 2013 #16

lets hope they never do.. iamthebandfanman May 2013 #29

They tried that but it was cheaper to hire people than service the machines DotGone May 2013 #40

I'm sure McDonald's employees would have suggestions for where DeRose can stick those pins. Matariki May 2013 #17

Go into the comments section and thumbs up the commenters asking for better wages MrScorpio May 2013 #18

Keep in mind there are McDonalds in Germany... Spitfire of ATJ May 2013 #25

these days iamthebandfanman May 2013 #31

Sounds like one of those mining towns... Spitfire of ATJ May 2013 #34

"And they comply with wage and vacation laws there" JVS May 2013 #77

They do, but it's not blanket like here, it's by profession. Spitfire of ATJ May 2013 #79

And they also have McBier! KamaAina May 2013 #145

They know their market... Spitfire of ATJ May 2013 #146

Chris Hedges does a funny bit about the "positive psychology" program at Kinko's ..... marmar May 2013 #27

Could not find podcast at that link PADemD May 2013 #97

Left side of screen, near the top, under the date. marmar May 2013 #98

Thanks! PADemD May 2013 #100

No prob. It's very easy to miss. marmar May 2013 #101

believe it or not iamthebandfanman May 2013 #28

Ooh! Ooh! Pins! I feel so motivated! tclambert May 2013 #32

I noticed you're only wearing 15 pieces of flair. Apophis May 2013 #69

If you want me to wear 37 pieces of flair, like your pretty boy over there, Brian, . . . tclambert May 2013 #94

Speaking of expressing myself... backscatter712 May 2013 #113

Chris Rock said it best... kimmylavin May 2013 #36

Always found the term 'minimum wage', too be VERY offensive. SammyWinstonJack May 2013 #118

Drive-UP Window bucolic_frolic May 2013 #37

They F*** YOU at the Drive-Through!!! brett_jv May 2013 #153

It's not just DickMonald's XanaDUer May 2013 #38

This happened to nurses @a hospital I worked at. Paid a bunch of $ to a Consultant who uppityperson May 2013 #154

''Pay the employees a living wage.'' DeSwiss May 2013 #39

Spot on retired rooster May 2013 #89

Employees at the Point Of Service Should be in Charge LarryNM May 2013 #41

yet at most businesses in the US they are usually the lowest paid rurallib May 2013 #43

All McDonalds or any other employer needs to do vanlassie May 2013 #44

The Age of the Bean-Counter formercia May 2013 #45

I call BS. Accountants (not bean counters) prepare the financial statements and xtraxritical May 2013 #137

I've had crappy wages...it's never fair to take it out on a customer... onpatrol98 May 2013 #46

+1 Daniel537 May 2013 #56

Why would you expect anything else? WHEN CRABS ROAR May 2013 #47

How much customer service do you need to give someone a $20 and get some food RB TexLa May 2013 #48

Maximum Wage would change the world... icarusxat May 2013 #53

"You get what you pay for" applies to employees to. jeff47 May 2013 #54

I'm not sure a living wage is the entire solution laundry_queen May 2013 #55

Where did you live where McD paid $15 an hour? curlyred May 2013 #57

In a relatively remote area in Canada. nt laundry_queen May 2013 #66

Chickens coming home to roost....you greedy slime. RagAss May 2013 #60

McDonald's is not the only one with a problem. We just walked out of a Red Lobster ... L0oniX May 2013 #63

Seems like the problem here is your attitude Fearless May 2013 #73

What was it that the poster did to the employee that makes you say that? n/t cui bono May 2013 #81

"asshole punk" and "stupid fuck" Fearless May 2013 #91

Yea well I didn't say that to the employee ...and yea I am entitled to a clean table... L0oniX May 2013 #133

I manage a restaurant and have for the last eight years. Fearless May 2013 #172

I'm sure seating people at a dirty table isn't any big deal in your restauraunt. L0oniX May 2013 #175

If people sit at a dirty table in my restaurant Fearless May 2013 #179

Well I would expect a dirty table if I were to go to a dive, 24/7, drunk meetup, greasy spoon. L0oniX May 2013 #188

And your point is? Fearless May 2013 #190

why were you at a Red Lobster ???????????????????? olddots May 2013 #184

I know ...wife wanted to go ...I swore I'd never go to one ever again but get this... L0oniX May 2013 #189

Ok yo go ahead and tell them "thank you for doing your job" cause they don't have to... L0oniX May 2013 #132

You have no idea what you're talking about. Fearless May 2013 #173

I worked my way up from dish washer to wheel cook. Respect is earned! L0oniX May 2013 #174

I will happily serve any person who respects my staff Fearless May 2013 #181

Did you knock your boots off before you went in? snooper2 May 2013 #109

Did that on the way out. The carpet was filthy. L0oniX May 2013 #135

some people are so dense and stupid there is no hope ZRT2209 May 2013 #65

When I worked in retail, I was often rude to customers Apophis May 2013 #68

Better wages is the best cure for the "recession" we're in too. xtraxritical May 2013 #139

They certainly are no Tractor Supply Co. bluedigger May 2013 #70

You have to actually like your customers bhikkhu May 2013 #71

+1 onpatrol98 May 2013 #103

Who's this "you"---the Min. Wage kid? Get real. McD's jobs are crap. WinkyDink May 2013 #106

Kids don't naturally hate everybody bhikkhu May 2013 #112

This same type of "Corporate Thinking"... nikto May 2013 #72

All these silly non-monetary ideas Fearless May 2013 #76

If pins can prove you are a patriotic candidate they can certainly prove you are cui bono May 2013 #80

lol PowerPoint pish talk. Rise Rebel Resist May 2013 #84

The common and banal always seems rough and crude to the elite. Hugin May 2013 #85

"You only get what you pay for." Example #: 534234186/K-2. n/t Hugin May 2013 #86

Not to be racist but from my experience it's the white kids who have most of the issues... Locut0s May 2013 #87

I want my next order served like this: Moostache May 2013 #88

Pay is so 20th Century. harun May 2013 #90

My kid worked at a McDonald's while in high school... AngryOldDem May 2013 #92

Lawsuit against McDonald's vankuria May 2013 #93

Out in the Portland, Oregon area customerserviceguy May 2013 #95

Burgerville USA is privately-owned ... need I say more? Auggie May 2013 #140

Simplest equation in the WORLD. Employees treat customers annabanana May 2013 #99

More money rarely turns a bad employee into a good employee. cbdo2007 May 2013 #102

It would be an incentive to improve, don't kid yourself. WinkyDink May 2013 #107

No, it is rewarding their poor behavior. I volunteer quite a bit and cbdo2007 May 2013 #108

Shoould the incentive be a customer service pin then? That is the ? lunasun May 2013 #119

The point is that there are no meaningful incentives gollygee May 2013 #136

It's not supposed to jeff47 May 2013 #120

That's true in many cases but with these true "bottom of the barrel" type jobs, the companies cbdo2007 May 2013 #121

The hope would be after getting fired several times jeff47 May 2013 #124

In your example, you are rewarding the company that is superior.... cbdo2007 May 2013 #130

McDonalds is offering to reward via pins and other cheap crap. Not money. (nt) jeff47 May 2013 #156

They don't get raises? cbdo2007 May 2013 #158

Generally, no. jeff47 May 2013 #164

Oh give me a break, McDonald's works just like any other company.... cbdo2007 May 2013 #165

You worked there long ago. Things are different now. jeff47 May 2013 #167

"Create shared emotion" = those bull-s*** cheer-leading exercises. JUST PAY THE EMPLOYEES MORE!! WinkyDink May 2013 #104

I worked in a call center for $12.50 an hour for a few years. Jennicut May 2013 #117

DeRose is clueless Vinnie From Indy May 2013 #127

It's simple. If the company treats you, the employee, like sh*t Bake May 2013 #128

I can't recall any experiences with rude McDonald's employees Enrique May 2013 #138

Everyone knows that ... Clouseau2 May 2013 #141

Yep OnionPatch May 2013 #166

Getting rid of "flexible schedules" would help too jmowreader May 2013 #144

+1000! Fearless May 2013 #183

Create shared emotion around delivering a great customer experience. snort May 2013 #147

money motivates workers, not pins noiretextatique May 2013 #148

In most cases, you get what you pay for AndyA May 2013 #150

Message auto-removed Name removed May 2013 #152

Hahaha, thanks for the memories of 35 years in large corporations, where six months of Flatulo May 2013 #155

"Creating memories"? Really? Scootaloo May 2013 #159

How many ketchup packets... KennedyBrothers May 2013 #161

"You Deserve A Brick Today!" kwassa May 2013 #169

Here are the numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Flatulo May 2013 #171

the towering intellects of the business world BainsBane May 2013 #180

#2 will make it worse as well. wickerwoman May 2013 #182

what mega corporations have lost track of olddots May 2013 #185