McDonald's workers: 'supersize my check'

[Betonov]

He went too hard too fast.

A 13th pay for every employee or bonuses when the company makes profit would be better and would raise the productivity even more. Yes, higher wages raise productivity, who knew. Rewards are even better though.

The low level would get their raises and the middle level would get their raises as well. No jealousy.
I don't care about the higher level, they're already ovepaid and overfed

[Oberon]

Originally Posted by Betonov

No jealousy.

I think you're being a bit optimistic about society in the US there.

[Aktungbby]

Neal Stevens:
Whatta maroon

Whatta maroon indeed!

[Platapus]

Originally Posted by Betonov

Yes, higher wages raise productivity

Frederick Herzberg might disagree with this. Hygiene vs motivator

[Oberon]

To be fair, a quick overview of Herzberg on wiki gives me:

The idea is that hygiene factors will not motivate, but if they are not there, they can lower motivation. These factors could be anything from clean toilets and comfortable chairs, to a reasonable level of pay and job security.

I think the last two is all that anyone can ask for really, a reasonable level of pay and job security. The quibbling factor comes down to what is a reasonable level of pay, which in my opinion would depend upon the cost of living in any particular area. The higher the cost of living, the higher the wage should be, so that people aren't forced to work two or three jobs in order to make ends meet. As an employer, you want your staff to give you their 100%, and if that person is torn between three jobs, you'll be lucky to get 33.3r% out of them. So it's in the employers best interest to match a living wage, and it's in societies best interests too, but anything that involves pushing prices up (even if wages go up too, to match) makes people shy away.


EDIT: Of course, I realise now having typed all that out, you probably mean about the likelihood of a wage rise raising productivity. In which case I think that in the long term, Herzberg has a fair point, but I'd wager that there would be a short term boost as morale briefly improves, but it takes more than wages to fix morale problems in many jobs.

EDIT EDIT: Just reading briefly through the Two-factor theory, can't say I disagree with it, I think that wages cross the line from Hygiene to Motivation in a couple of instances, such as for something like performance related pay or bonuses, but mostly it is through recognition and achievement that satisfaction is primarily earned.

[Betonov]

It's a more factor, not two factor.

Wages: the most important, a lot of the other factors a worker can ignore if his/hers wage is more than fair.

Wage disparity: if I make €800, my foreman makes €1200 and the guy one step above him makes €4500, something is not right. And don't give me that more work more resposibility manure, they don't work. They talk, they yell, when work goes good they take the credit and bonuses, when something goes wrong they blame the only one that actually did work. Greedy pigs don't work, not-greedy entrepenurs don't suck the company for money they don't deserve.

Work environment: good coworkers, nice fluid work, unresentful bosses that take critisism, nice fluid work. Nice fluid work means high productivity, means a succeseful company. When you throw in bad wages, co-workers become a-holes since they can't vent up. When bosses are overpaid they also get a sense of being more important than they are and they stop listening to critisism.

Hygiene: when I was that I actually thought it's a joke, but it's not. A clean workplace is a happy workplace. I came to work in a good mood because I knew my company had hotel level clean toilets and when lunch called that it wants to get out, I knew I'd be on a ceramic throne, not a bucket.

Rewards: they're there to boost workers. maybe o ne feels like they're underpaid, but they'd still pull some overtime if they knew that a reward would be paid. And not a promise of a reward like we had and never got, we're not morons.

Social security: wow, look at the Lenin here, but workers work better if they don't worry how they'll get by if something happens. And the fear of being fired is not motivation, it's mobing. And if you think mobing is good, then let me know so I can get infracted.

Ability to progress: there are some content with their lot in life. Why not, their choice. Some of us do want to get promoted. And we get tired of being overlooked due to asskissers and boss relatives and we don't feel that working hard is something we should even do. There's no point.

A few more can be added. And those are from my personal experience. I actually worked once. Like laboured. So i know what I'm talking about.

And if anyone wants to call me socialist, go ahead. I actually am. My head is not so far up my arse that I actually gave socialism a thought and know that if done right it works well (khm Sweden, Norway, Switzerland)

[Platapus]

Originally Posted by Betonov

Wage disparity: if I make €800, my foreman makes €1200 and the guy one step above him makes €4500, something is not right. And don't give me that more work more resposibility manure, they don't work.

I am going to take a wild guess that you have never been a manager. No one pays managers more because they like them. They pay managers more because it is hard work (most likely different work) and the job sucks, the responsibilities crushing and you have to deal with workers who think that managers don't work.

I have been on both sides of the fence. Unless you are self-actualizing, the "perks" of being a manager don't even come close to making up for the stress.

[Stealhead]

Originally Posted by Platapus

I am going to take a wild guess that you have never been a manager. No one pays managers more because they like them. They pay managers more because it is hard work (most likely different work) and the job sucks, the responsibilities crushing and you have to deal with workers who think that managers don't work.

I have been on both sides of the fence. Unless you are self-actualizing, the "perks" of being a manager don't even come close to making up for the stress.

I remember in the Air Force Staff Sargent Schneider a lot of airman (the lazy ones) didn't like him because he was "strict" and he was iin some ways but he was fair.

His most genius leadership method was the time he volunteered to lead the group that was to remodel the squadron day room. Of course he knew that nearly every other volunteer had expected to get out of regular duties while this project was undertaken. Wrong he announced the first day that all work would be performed after hours and on weekends because remodeling a day room has no bearing on national defense. It was great. Now SSGT S did invite everyone over to a sweet party when the project was done.

I knew otherwise because SSGT S was my direct supervisor and his troops did what ever he did and he would do anything he told you to do faster and better then you could but he did respect so you if you where worth your salt wanted to impress him.

When I made SSGT I did things the same way and my troops really liked me. I had an airman under another SSGT once tell me that he wished that all the NCOs where like me.

[August]

Originally Posted by Platapus

I am going to take a wild guess that you have never been a manager. No one pays managers more because they like them. They pay managers more because it is hard work (most likely different work) and the job sucks, the responsibilities crushing and you have to deal with workers who think that managers don't work.

I have been on both sides of the fence. Unless you are self-actualizing, the "perks" of being a manager don't even come close to making up for the stress.

I think there is a vast difference between the type of manager that you're talking about and the one that he's talking about. Both do exist.

[Jeff-Groves]

Well I had a nice time at the last McDonalds I went to.

4 different people put in an order when there were no other orders. Not even a car in the drive thru.
After our orders were taken? EVERY worker there started chatting and sipping drinks. We stood there for nearly 5 minutes with nothing being done.

A Guy walks in and asks me if I'm in line. I went off!
"No. I'm waiting to see WTF happens here if anything. You'd be better off to go to Wendy's across the street!"

Things got real interesting from there. I was asked.....
"Sir? Are you waiting for something?"
"Ya. Waiting to see who gets off their arse and gets me my order!"
"What did you order Sir?"
"Look at your pretty screen back there and figure it out! That's part of your job!"

(Back ground laffter and cheers from only other 3 people in place)

"You had the Double Quarter meal with Milk Shake? I'll make the Milk Shake now."

"And how fast does it melt before I get the rest of my order?"

"We're doing the best we can Sir."

"You need a less demanding job. Like sweeping streets then."

All the time I'm watching to make sure the Guy doing my sandwich don't spit on it or something.

More money for workers like that???????
They are over paid as is as far as I see it all over the USA!

[Stealhead]

I notice in my experience Chick-fil-A and Taco Bell tend to have the best service generally while McDonald's and Burger King are usually average at best. Chick-fil-A they actually push in the drink buttons on the lids nobody else dose even if its a single drink.

[Stealhead]

Originally Posted by August

I think there is a vast difference between the type of manager that you're talking about and the one that he's talking about. Both do exist.

This is also true there are stupifyingly horrible managers as well.

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by Jeff-Groves

Well I had a nice time at the last McDonalds I went to.

It's funny how different experiences can be. There are two different McDonald's I go to semi-regularly, and both have always been consistently fast, precise, and friendly. It's pretty much the same with all the fast-food places in my neighborhood.

[Jeff-Groves]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

It's funny how different experiences can be. There are two different McDonald's I go to semi-regularly, and both have always been consistently fast, precise, and friendly. It's pretty much the same with all the fast-food places in my neighborhood.

So as a semi-regular your pretty much a known quantum.
I hit so many different food joints in so many States at so many different times I'm an Unknown Quantum.

I have been in some McDonalds that are so over whelmed that I was amazed at how well the trained people did their jobs!
And all the while being polite and concerned about anyone waiting.

Most?

I once commented that a McDonalds in a Mall was taking care of the drive thru first.
Guy says "We don't have a Drive thru!"
I replied "My point exactly!"
I never ordered from them again.

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by Jeff-Groves

So as a semi-regular your pretty much a known quantum.
I hit so many different food joints in so many States at so many different times I'm an Unknown Quantum.

Fair point.

As far as what fast-food workers should be making? I see a lot of older folks who need the extra money. They usually do a good job. I see a lot of kids just starting out. Most of them do alright. There are always some who leave something to be desired.

I was suddenly reminded of an old episode of Animaniacs, in which they are all at a drive-in movie. They go to the snack bar. Wacko orders a pizza. The pimple-faced kid with braces asks him "You want fries with that?"

Wacko asks "Why would I want fries with a pizza?"

The kid stares at him for a few seconds, then says "I'll have to ask my manager."