McDonald’s opened its doors to Australia in the Sydney suburb of Yagoona in 1971. From that one restaurant it has grown to more than 721 restaurants nationally. McDonald’s is a unique system in that it is a franchise company. Presently in Australia, our restaurants are 75% owned and operated by franchisees and 25% are company owned. More than 1.2 million Australians eat at McDonald’s per day.

McDonald’s is one of the largest employers of young people in Australia. The system currently employees over 55 000 people and spends more than $20 million annually on training and people development. McDonald’s creates about 6000 new jobs each year – many of which are taken up by young people working their way through school and university.

Our people hold the key to McDonald’s performance and success in Australia over the past 30 years. Interestingly, some 70 per cent of our store management and head office staff commenced their careers working in our restaurants. In fact, our current Managing Director and CEO Guy Russo, joined McDonald’s as a 15-year-old crew person and worked his way through the ranks to be appointed Managing Director and CEO at the age of 39.

McDonald’s is an Equal Opportunity Employer
McDonald’s is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide a workplace where decisions are based on individual performance and ability.

Affirmative Action (or Equal Employment for women) is also supported by McDonald’s to ensure that female employees are not limited to so-called female roles. However, this in no way suggests that males will be disadvantaged. Males and females compete equally for jobs and promotions, and decisions are based on individual performance.

McDonald’s also works with community-based organisations to develop and implement training arrangements and career opportunities for people with disabilities.

McDonald’s is committed to providing all employees with a harmonious work environment: a workplace which is free from harassment, enjoyable, safe and equitable. Working at McDonald’s involves working with others as a team in which everyone’s contribution is valued.

In 2001, McDonald’s became the first Australian company to provide casual employees with the same parental leave entitlements enjoyed by part-time and full-time employees.

Incentives and Support Schemes
In addition to the option of developing a career with McDonald’s and participating in one of Australia’s best training programs, we offer a range of incentive programs to our employees.

For example, our National Crew Scholarship Program recognises outstanding crew for their achievements both at work and outside McDonald’s with monetary scholarships to put towards their education. As well, the annual Crew Sports Grant program offers 29 grants across Australia to assist crew in pursuing their sporting ambitions.

Crew Training
At McDonald’s, we believe that personal attention and recognition are powerful tools for improving performance. Therefore, crew training is a process of working shoulder-to-shoulder, coaching and verifying skills on the job. Every McDonald’s crew member undertakes our structured training program and receives job instruction in the various facets of our operation.

For some years, our crew training has been officially recognised by government departments at both state and federal levels. McDonald’s Australia is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), and the only national retailer that offers nationally accredited courses – from Certificates I, II and III in Retail Operations up to and including the Advanced Diploma of Management. McDonald’s employees are issued qualifications, which identify the level of training achieved, based on industry and McDonald’s competency standards. This is a formal credential which employees can use to develop career paths within McDonald’s, other organisations or industry generally.

Management Training
McDonald’s appreciates the critical role our managers play in running multi-million dollar restaurants.

Management training at McDonald’s starts in the restaurant with a structured Management Development Program, which comprises on and off the job training. Each program must be completed before moving onto the next level.

At the completion of each Management Development Program the managers attend a five-to-six-day course at one of our Training Centres across Australia. McDonald’s management training and development program has received formal accreditation, and that means we have the ability to award all successful managers with transferable qualifications up to and including an Advanced Diploma of Management – the highest qualification below a university degree. These skills are now recognised by other employers in all industries and are of significant value to our employees. Managers who have successfully completed McDonald’s Management Development Program are given advanced standing (credit transfer) towards undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications at a number of universities across Australia.

Post Graduate Certificate in Management
For those ambitious employees who extend their career path into middle and senior management, the quality training and development experience continues. Announced in 2001, was The University of Newcastle and the University of Ballarat offering a Postgraduate Certificate in Management to 20 employees in Sydney and Melbourne. After successfully completing the Postgraduate Certificate, students can apply to enter into a Masters qualification the following year. This unique opportunity not only recognises McDonald’s commitment to training and development of people but also recognises McDonald’s management training and leadership in this field.

Educational Assistance Policy
Coinciding with the launch of the Postgraduate Certificate in Management, McDonald’s introduced an educational Assistance Policy (EAP) which provides financial assistant to employees pursuing further tertiary education. Along with promoting our business and increasing our market share having the right mix of people with the appropriate skills and knowledge is vital to our success.

McDonald’s – The Employer of Choice for Women
In September 2001, McDonald’s was named the “Employer of Choice for Women”. McDonald’s was one of a few companies being named following a rigorous filtering of more than 2500 reports submitted to Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA) to comply with Equal Opportunity legislation.

Job Opportunities on The Net – macyourcareer.com.au
McDonald’s Corporation in 2001 committed $10 million dollars globally to stimulate initiatives that will improve McDonald’s image as an employer. McDonald’s Australia was lucky to receive a grant to develop macyourcareer.com.au. In November 2001, McDonald’s launched the Internet site.

Family Friendly Work Place
Since 1994, McDonald's has had a formal commitment to providing a "family friendly" work place for all employees. In 1998 we re-stated and updated our policies, including extending paid parental leave to male employees and increasing the period of paid leave from 6 to 8 weeks. Over recent years this focus on "family friendly" policies has seen the company become a lot more responsive to the needs of both female and male employees juggling careers with family responsibilities. This has meant we have often been able to retain great employees within the system.

McDonald's website
http://www.mcdonalds.com