McDonald’s job ad sparks outrage by ruling out a specific type of applicant
- Replies 13
It’s an unfair reality most people are facing: Older people have more difficulty finding jobs than younger people.
Unfortunately, ageism is a very real problem throughout many industries and professions – and McDonald’s has recently been dragged into the spotlight over a job advertisement they posted online.
The notice, posted to hire workers for the graveyard shift of the McDonald’s in Auckland Central, included a list of criteria. Surprisingly, it specified that they were only looking for people between the ages of 16 and 60.
The fast food giant said that the franchisee posted the advertisement as a way to try and make it sound ‘catchy’. However, the Auckland store manager placed the blame on the ‘head office’.
Now, legal experts, unions, and social media users have banded together to condemn the ad for its ‘ageist’ approach to employment. One person even called it a ‘blatant’ violation of human rights.
The advertisement specified a 10 pm to 6 am shift and outlined the job benefits, including free meals, ‘discounted food anytime’ and special overnight allowances. All applicants were encouraged to ‘DM (directly message the store) for details or apply today via the link’.
‘Starting rates at $22.80,’ it said.
The job ad also stated there were hours between five and 40 available per week and that experience wasn’t necessary to apply.
Joe Carolan from Unite Union in New Zealand explained the implications of the ad and the ‘bizarre’ ageism they shine a spotlight on.
‘Contrary to the myth that most McDonald's jobs are [for] part-time students, improvements made by the union throughout the years have seen many workers stay in these jobs into their 50s,’ he told reporters.
He continued: ‘Older workers bring experience, stability and maturity to a workplace, and we call on McDonald's to end this discriminatory ageism.’
Max Whitehead, an Employment Relations expert, said that the ad was an obvious breach of the Human Right Act because it targeted workers between 16 and 60.
Mr Whitehead also called out the advert for its meagre $22.80 an hour offering.
Employment Law expert and Professor Bill Hodge explained that the Human Right Act bans discrimination against those over 60. However, he admitted that fast food restaurants were ‘in the clear’ when it came to the ‘under 16 age’ limit.
‘We discriminate against people 14 or 15 all the time, and it's justifiable to say: No, you can't drive a car, you can't leave school,’ he said.
Professor Hodge also claimed he couldn’t see a reason why anyone over 60 would be excluded, adding that he himself had retired at 77.
Simon Kenny, a spokesman for McDonald’s, stated he was aware that one of its franchisees created the job ad and drew attention on social media over the age range posted. He clarified that the ad’s aim is to welcome all ages to work at McDonald’s, but he also advised the franchisee to update the post to ‘avoid potential confusion’.
However, a manager at the specific McDonald’s branch in New Zealand claimed that the ‘head office’ made the final decision on the ad.
Nevertheless, the post still sparked major backlash on social media over the age range and the low pay.
‘Work for Macca's Auckland as long as you're not older than 60 years old!’ One social media user wrote.
Another replied: ‘Freedom from discrimination based on age is in our bill of rights.’
‘It is illegal to discriminate based on age for 60-year-olds, I'm guessing?’ Someone inquired. One online user responded to the post and said: ‘Yeah. 100 per cent illegal.’
‘[The rate of] $22.80 is a sad state of times for a graveyard or any time shift in general,’ another one pointed out.
However, some internet users said they could see why the age range is in place.
A former Macca’s worker shared that the graveyard shift at McDonald’s is ‘the most depressing and draining thing’ they’ve ever done.
‘16 is the youngest you can work. [McDonald's] put 60 as it is not easy working in fast food,’ one stated.
‘I'm sure there are people over 60s that can easily stand for five hours or more, but many can't.’
McDonald’s at Auckland Central has yet to release a statement.
This report comes after a McDonald’s Auckland customer made a shocking discovery about her McDonald’s burger. According to her, she went for a late-night dinner run before driving back home with her sister. When she went back home, her burger tasted ‘funny’. Find out what she saw in this article.
What’s your stance on this, members? Is this blatant ageism? Share your views in the comments below!
Unfortunately, ageism is a very real problem throughout many industries and professions – and McDonald’s has recently been dragged into the spotlight over a job advertisement they posted online.
The notice, posted to hire workers for the graveyard shift of the McDonald’s in Auckland Central, included a list of criteria. Surprisingly, it specified that they were only looking for people between the ages of 16 and 60.
The fast food giant said that the franchisee posted the advertisement as a way to try and make it sound ‘catchy’. However, the Auckland store manager placed the blame on the ‘head office’.
A McDonald’s franchise in New Zealand was called out for its ‘ageist’ job advertisement. Credit: Nothing Ahead/Pexels
Now, legal experts, unions, and social media users have banded together to condemn the ad for its ‘ageist’ approach to employment. One person even called it a ‘blatant’ violation of human rights.
The advertisement specified a 10 pm to 6 am shift and outlined the job benefits, including free meals, ‘discounted food anytime’ and special overnight allowances. All applicants were encouraged to ‘DM (directly message the store) for details or apply today via the link’.
‘Starting rates at $22.80,’ it said.
The job ad also stated there were hours between five and 40 available per week and that experience wasn’t necessary to apply.
Joe Carolan from Unite Union in New Zealand explained the implications of the ad and the ‘bizarre’ ageism they shine a spotlight on.
‘Contrary to the myth that most McDonald's jobs are [for] part-time students, improvements made by the union throughout the years have seen many workers stay in these jobs into their 50s,’ he told reporters.
The job ad was posted online. Credit: Facebook
He continued: ‘Older workers bring experience, stability and maturity to a workplace, and we call on McDonald's to end this discriminatory ageism.’
Max Whitehead, an Employment Relations expert, said that the ad was an obvious breach of the Human Right Act because it targeted workers between 16 and 60.
Mr Whitehead also called out the advert for its meagre $22.80 an hour offering.
Employment Law expert and Professor Bill Hodge explained that the Human Right Act bans discrimination against those over 60. However, he admitted that fast food restaurants were ‘in the clear’ when it came to the ‘under 16 age’ limit.
‘We discriminate against people 14 or 15 all the time, and it's justifiable to say: No, you can't drive a car, you can't leave school,’ he said.
Professor Hodge also claimed he couldn’t see a reason why anyone over 60 would be excluded, adding that he himself had retired at 77.
Simon Kenny, a spokesman for McDonald’s, stated he was aware that one of its franchisees created the job ad and drew attention on social media over the age range posted. He clarified that the ad’s aim is to welcome all ages to work at McDonald’s, but he also advised the franchisee to update the post to ‘avoid potential confusion’.
However, a manager at the specific McDonald’s branch in New Zealand claimed that the ‘head office’ made the final decision on the ad.
Nevertheless, the post still sparked major backlash on social media over the age range and the low pay.
‘Work for Macca's Auckland as long as you're not older than 60 years old!’ One social media user wrote.
Another replied: ‘Freedom from discrimination based on age is in our bill of rights.’
‘It is illegal to discriminate based on age for 60-year-olds, I'm guessing?’ Someone inquired. One online user responded to the post and said: ‘Yeah. 100 per cent illegal.’
‘[The rate of] $22.80 is a sad state of times for a graveyard or any time shift in general,’ another one pointed out.
However, some internet users said they could see why the age range is in place.
A former Macca’s worker shared that the graveyard shift at McDonald’s is ‘the most depressing and draining thing’ they’ve ever done.
‘16 is the youngest you can work. [McDonald's] put 60 as it is not easy working in fast food,’ one stated.
‘I'm sure there are people over 60s that can easily stand for five hours or more, but many can't.’
McDonald’s at Auckland Central has yet to release a statement.
This report comes after a McDonald’s Auckland customer made a shocking discovery about her McDonald’s burger. According to her, she went for a late-night dinner run before driving back home with her sister. When she went back home, her burger tasted ‘funny’. Find out what she saw in this article.
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