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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsMcDonalds in Oregon solution to worker shortage... recruiting 14 and 15 year olds with huge banner
The call to action isn't shy. A McDonald's in Oregon is pushing towards a new business model: Hiring 14-year-old and 15-year-olds to help offset a shortage of workers in the COVID era.
The fast food industry has long relied on teen workers mainly 16-and up but this store in Medford, Oregon, put out a large banner to advertise directly towards potential teen workers even younger. The banner is still out front of the store, store manager Ashley Fincher confirmed to USA TODAY on Wednesday morning.
Restaurant operater (owner, basically) Heather Coleman told Business Insider that staffing has never been this bad in her family's four decades of operating McDonald's franchises. But once management opened the floodgates to the younger teens, Coleman said she received 25 applications in two weeks.
"There are always staffing issues, but this is unheard of," she said. "14-year-old and 15-year-old workers) have been a blessing in disguise. They have the drive and work ethic. They get the technology. They catch on really quickly."
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/mcdonald-s-in-oregon-puts-up-a-huge-banner-asking-14-and-15-year-olds-to-apply/ar-AANZbIl?ocid=msedgntp
marybourg
(12,540 posts)Reporter didn't research Oregon's. Just said laws are different in each state. Prize winning work - not.
cate94
(2,797 posts)Tree Lady
(11,370 posts)A lot of places have short hours because they can't find help, fav pizza place, italian restaurant, etc.
I don't eat fast food so wouldn't know about them but this doesn't surprise me. It will be interesting to see if parents allow it. I know 16 yr old in my court has a job.
blueinredohio
(6,797 posts)And drive? Most 14&15 year olds I know only want to play video games all night and not get out of bed in the morning.
Sherman A1
(38,958 posts)Telling of labor shortages are really indicators that the era of the disposable labor theory ( there is always another warm body to fill your shoes if you dont like it) long held by companies and managers is coming to an end.
Yes, some jobs will be filled by machines and AI but not in the short term in all circumstances and it requires employees at some point to build and implement those systems.
Time will tell, but a kick in the pants for the corporate overlords isnt such a bad thing.