McDonald's Faces Teen Labor Shortage ("fewer teenagers working period")

ChicagoBusiness ^ | July 23, 2007 | David Sterrett

[infowarrior]

They buy their kids new cars and expensive electronics without batting an eye. Lots of kids don’t even have household chores that they have to do.

Odd, I am a parent, and a grandparent, and I never did any of that...

the infowarrior

[ontap]

It really gets better ! I’m in charge of discipline.

[TChris]

I have seen one particular problem in my area: At some McDonalds, you won't be hired unless you speak Spanish. They don't speak English except to customers.

In the USA, that's a problem. That's a Big Problem.

[TChris]

How do the authors make the unsupported assertion that the decrease in teens working is due to a lack of desire to work? There are lots of factors which influence those numbers!

[eyedigress]

Those were the days. Hardest work I’ve ever done for 3.35 an hour (Steakhouse). Well, except for the 2 cents a bale in the 70’s.

[Tamar1973]

I worked a Dairy Queen.

*SIGH* Cherry dipped ice cream cones! When they stopped offering that, I stopped going.

[Lurking in Kansas]

"Lurking behind the recruiting drive is another reality: McDonald's could ease its labor crunch by raising wages. But that's a last resort for the franchisees. Increased payroll costs come directly out of their pockets.

That’s the bottom line, end of story. There is no such thing as “labor shortage”. Economics 101; raise wages enough and applicants will line up around the block fighting for a job.

[ridesthemiles]

The kids of today are handed cars, cell phones and ipods and debit cards by doting but fool parents, so why sling hamburgers like we had to in the olden days?”

BINGO!!!
We have a winner!!!!

[DeFault User]

That person I would pay top dollar as she can’t be making that much...

I have seen those extremely efficient, smiling and helpful individuals. I would rather have them working for me at double their wage. Such people appear to do the work of 2 or 3 slower workers, plus they generate customer goodwill and repeat business.

A restaurant management company I'm familiar with concentrates on hiring such people as managers, rewarding them with bonuses, profit sharing and recognition. Although they have turnover among the hourly workers, their managers and assistants are the spark plugs of the company.

[RipSawyer]

Back in my day, we made $3.05 an hour.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

That sounds like heaven to me! I used to work all day in the South Carolina sun in mid-summer for 3 or 4 dollars a DAY! That was when I could get a day working for someone who would pay! I spent most days working on the family farm to survive, no cash involved. Of course 3 dollars back then bought more than 30 dollars now.

[MinorityRepublican]

We need to change the structure of our current high school system. Not every student is on college track, obviously.

[fight_truth_decay]

We need to change the current high school system

We need to change the current young person's (they can't take all the blame..) "value" system.

I offer more in response part way down here: #21 posted on 02/23/2008 6:36:31 PM PST by fight_truth_decay

I do believe in schools having a "community volunteer program" mandatory to all. It might just change for many the: "it's all about me" their prime factor of 1. Definitely will not hurt to see another part of the "real world" up close and personal.

[fight_truth_decay]

current high school system

But, I agree in what you said...BIG TIME.