McDonald's staff praise major move after employee's desperate plea

The fast food giant says it is actively working to look after the welfare of its young workforce.

McDonald's staff have praised a major commitment to workers' welfare just days after a young employee voiced her concerns over workplace pressures.

The fast food giant offers tailor-made support to its thousands of Australian employees after partnering with wellbeing platform Sonder earlier this year.

More than 10,000 McDonalds employees have signed up to the app, a figure that’s growing by 30 per cent each month. The app allows staff to have access to registered professionals such as nurses, psychologists, and emergency responders, plus a range of wellbeing resources and safety support.

Restaurant manager at Thornleigh McDonalds Blake Northcott said the app has made his job much easier since it was brought in four months ago.

Staff conditions in McDonald's were questioned by one worker last week. Source: Getty
Staff conditions in McDonald's were questioned by one worker last week. Source: Getty

“It gives me a tool and resource to say ‘there’s someone that you can speak to that’s qualified and able to help you in any issue that you’re facing’,” he said.

“It’s been really helpful and a good resource for me and my managers as well.”

McDonald's worker claims staff always under pressure

Earlier this month a female worker's desperate plea resonated with Australians after claiming staff were "pushed beyond our limits" to hit targets on service speed.

"We get yelled at and pushed so hard until we beat those times, we sadly can't have a conversation with any customers," she claimed.

The vast majority of McDonalds 115,000 employees are young people, with approximately 75 per cent of crew in secondary school, TAFE or university.

Research shows that people aged 18-24 are more likely to report higher levels of stress, exhaustion and acute mental health, with 43 per cent of young people struggle with anxiety compared to 27 per cent of the wider population.

McDonald's said it was "disappointed" to learn of the female worker's experience, stressing the company was committed to "providing a fun and engaging place to work and an inclusive, rewarding environment".

Chief people officer Emma Napoli-Hala said the company had a "big responsibility" to support workers as one of the largest employers of young people in Australia.

With NCA Newswire

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.