Congrats Cheryl, I remember when I first got a job in the fast food industry. Before, I'd worked as a gardner for awhile... but that place got bought out by a competitor so I had to go looking for a while. It was pretty tough at times, trying to find work in Appalachia. Getting the money was nice, co-workers (and even some of management was cool) but all sorts of problems followed.
I'm glad I'm no longer working fast food, mainly because of those problems: low wages, no benefits, jerked around scheduling, no input in making decisions, and the gradual realization about how much profit was being made off my and my fellow workers labor. Also little things bugged me like being encouraged by management to skirt around timers and other health issues so as not to waste food, yet to have something ready instantly if requested. And the way they'd rush you out of the store before you were done cleaning to keep your hours down.
But having money is certainly better than not having it! And feeding people is actually something to be proud of, unlike other jobs I've had which can only be described as parasitic (I've telemarketed and sold insurance, before I became part of the computing industry). I wish it could have been better. Over the years I think the problem was that the workers had little actual say of how the work was done and little way in actual reward for a job well done.
Profit sharing and workers (quality?) committees would be good steps McDonald's (or any of its sister companies) could have taken to improve lots of things I had issues with. They aren't going to do it though, they can find someone just as eager to fill your job as you were to take. Not that that makes you valueless as a human being... only expendable to the corporation. Managers might not want to get rid of you, since people tend to care about those they have regular contact with... but I've known management who have been fired for having to friendly of relations with their subordinates. The only way conditions are going to improve, I think, is with a union.
Gosh, aren't I all gloom and doom. I'm sure you can make the best of it though. It might be educational if you could post your first expierences working at McDonald's over the next few weeks. I for one, would like to hear what a new hire is going through these days; and not just try to superimpose my expierences on everyone else.
Solid,
Flint
None.
