So I have a McDonalds Application in front of me - do I fill it out?

[GeorginaA]

Just how bad is a McJob going to be?

Some background - dh has lost a contract via his second (from home) job which has left us extremely tight for cash. Looking at various ways around it - I can't go back to "normal" work as I wouldn't earn enough to cover childcare which seems rather pointless all round, especially as I want to be at home if I possibly can before ds2 goes to school.

So that leaves only evenings to work in and as most of us have found out, there's not an awful lot of choice.

So do I fill out this application? Will it be dire, or will it be a lot better than I expect? Does anyone work for McDs or has done in the past that can give me a clue if this is a good route or not? My main concern is that I'll be under pressure to do extra hours outside of the times I'm able to work. My secondary concern is smelling of chip fat all the time

Thoughts?

[Carmenere]

Nothing wrong with hard work. Have you thought about a local supermarket?

[foxinsocks]

my first concern would be the smell aswell !

having said that, I noticed an advert in a McD asking for staff and they said they pride themselves on family friendly working policies so maybe it won't be as bad as you think

have you got any other local restaurants/pubs near you where you could work in the evening?

[crunchie]

I worked in McDonalds albeit in paris about 15 years ago!! However they seemed really good with 'mature' staff and although it is hard work usually older people are on the restuarant side (customer relations etc) and therefore no chip fat smell. You do have to know all stations, but this seems to be the case in all MD's I go in now.

Supermarkets are another option, again shifts can work well for eves and overnights.

Fill in that form woman

[Marne]

A job's a job, it's beter than nothing, i hav'nt work in McDonalds but i have had some bad jobs in my time.

Go for it, you can shower when you get home to get rid of the smell, just think of the extra money.

[footprint]

I would go for it too

Am also considering a waitress job at the moment. You might meet some fun, friendly peple.

[Mercy]

My only concern would be that as far as I know McDonalds etc don't close until about 11 pm which makes it a very long day for you.

Does it have to be an evening job?

Would you be interested in child-minding or ironing?

[welshmum]

Personally I wouldn't work there unless it was the very last place on earth. I'd prefer a restaurant or pub where I'd get the benefit of my efforts rewarded more directly ie tips

[gscrym]

My niece works for McD's and likes it. She's only 17 right enough. It would be a start at getting back to work. You could always keep looking for other jobs.

[schneebly]

I have worked evenings in a local chinese and it was great! Good tips and a free meal at the end of the night! YUM! You might make more money at other resaurants/pubs but if there is not much going I would apply.

[Mercy]

And sometimes tips are divided between staff.

[welshmum]

Sighs....I used to work in such a great caf, you worked hard, kept your own tips and never ever declared it to the Inland Revenue...mind you it was a long time ago now.
Wouldn't mind doing it again though.

[CheesyFeet]

Georgina, it might not be so bad. I worked at KFC in Blackpool for a bit and we used to have a laugh. I really did stink of chip fat by the end of my shift though .

Some of the customers were truly horrible but this was in a seaside town at 3 o'clock in the morning. You never see anyone at their best in those circumstances!

Give it a go, you can always jack it in if it's really horrible.

[GeorginaA]

Thanks for all this - I'm not afraid of hard work - just of being treated like sh*t for very little pay! But if they are genuinely flexible rather than just advertising hype, that's a big bonus...

Local supermarket is another option - need to check there tomorrow to see what's available, but last couple of times I looked the shifts were dire - either starting way before dh got home or finishing in the early hours of the morning, which is just a no go. The shift time for McDs appears to be 6-12, which is still not great, but at least physically doable. I'm sure dh will love me diving into the shower and waking him up at 12.30

Local restaurants/pubs round here seem to want experienced staff (which is fair enough). I've had my share of minimum wage during my student days - but mostly warehouse/customer service/data entry, so not really qualified At least McDs will train you.

Hmm... I'm talking myself into it, aren't I?

[GeorginaA]

(The other thing with pubs - if I was still back in Croydon I'd have worked for our old local no problem - I'd have helped out for free until they had a vacancy - fab atmosphere. I just don't know any of the pubs round here at all - and our local is a bit faceless... makes me nervous of applying).

[expatinscotland]

I worked in a bar before. Even back bar, it was still money and better than nothing.

Go for it!

[madmarchhare]

My friends come across lots of different folk that have been in different jobs in her line of work. She says that they do appear to be one of the worst of the larger employers to work for. Like you say, not treated very well and pay not being the best.

[GeorginaA]

How hard is it to get a job in a pub if you have NO experience whatsoever? And what do you do - just turn up at the pub and ask if they have vacancies?

[GeorginaA]

(I have never felt so unemployable in my LIFE before - it's quite scary!)

[expatinscotland]

I turned up w/no experience and started as a dishwasher.