To think I shouldn't be sneered at for working at McDonald's?

[Dinkleberg]

Regular poster but NC for this. I have a degree. I did have a full time job related to my degree but unfortunately was made redundant whilst on mat leave in October last year (and wasn't entitled to redundancy pay as I'd been there less than 2 years). So when my mat pay ended last month I needed to find a job fairly swiftly! Unfortunately I couldn't find a job related to my degree and bills were piling up, so I applied for anything I could find, and McDonald's came up.

I got the job and am really enjoying it, its it's a 10 minute walk away, the hours fit in perfectly around my children and DHs hours (I do evenings and weekends) and of course it helps pay the bills and put food on the table! I'm starting my Masters in October and again the flexibility the job offers is good.

But recently I had a catch up/conversation with a friend who I hadn't seen for a few months. We talked about what we were doing now etc and when I mentioned I was working at McDonald's she seemed baffled and embarrassed for me? Said "But you have a degree so why are you working there?". When I said it was to pay the bills until I could complete my Masters, and that the hours were perfect for me in terms of childcare ect she was like "But surely anything is better than bloody McDonald's?"

Is working at McDonald's really something to be embarrassed about?? A job is a job surely? And said friend eats at McDonald's so surely she realises someone has to prepare and serve her food? I should say a lot of my colleagues are students.

I left the conversation feeling quite deflated 😞 I know I shouldn't care what others think but I do! Sometimes too much.

YANBU - she's being horrible and you shouldn't be sneered at
YABU - she has a point

@sparepantsandtoothbrush I'm in my 20s and heard this too. More so from other students than teachers though.

Funnily enough, I was talking to a recruiter about this just the other day and we both agreed that someone in your position with a stint at McDonalds on a CV comes across very positively. Basically - an employer looks at that and thinks you’re a grafter. You’re someone who’s able to deal with adversity and cope in less than ideal conditions. I’d wear it as a badge of pride. Your friend is horrid.

Yea a good friend of mine was made redundant from her job as a GM of a fancy hotel during COVID and took a part time job in Tesco as "something to get her by". She's still there 2 years later, loves it.

@sparepantsandtoothbrush I’m a teacher and once had a colleague who used to give McDonalds application forms to 6th form students who weren’t working hard, just to make a point!

That attitude is quite prevalent on here as well. A number of mumsnetters are crooks lawyers or work in finance and are baffled by the idea that not all young people want those kind of jobs or want to work in the City.

When my kids were little it was very difficult to work as a qualified nurse and fit in childcare so I got a weekend job cleaning in a hospital. We were really looked down on by some of the nurses, and it amused me to think I was a qualified as they were. The job suited me time wise and was undemanding. We do what suits us at the time and other people shouldn't judge.

I know someone who’s a manager at McDonald’s. He has a really nice home and goes on great holidays several times a year. Your friend isn’t very nice

McDonalds is a great place to work for students and parents. Most people I work with have degrees and earn less ph than McDonalds pay shift managers (many shift managers are18/19years old). We sometimes joke that we should go and work there, but I think we secretly all know we wouldn't be up to the job!

Your Dad sounds lovely (and wise!)

Quick google and store managers are racking in £30,000 okie in McDonald's, I might join. By the time you finish your master you'll possibly be on a similar wage to that. 1000000 percent not to be sniffed at by your friend

I'm in a graduate NHS job and McDonald's is pretty damn appealing these days! Not many people can truly say they enjoy their job so if you love it then what does it matter what your snobby friend thinks?

A friend of a friend worked there at uni and ended up leaving uni. He worked his way up to some sort of regional manager while doing part time uni from home and with the experience and degree is now a senior fund manager.

My friend’s husband trained as a plumber and did it for a couple of years then had a job go badly wrong and really lost his confidence. Like you OP, he needed something to pay the bills so got a job at McDonald’s. He’s now been there for nearly 15 years, is a manager, goes to different locations to help train staff. Earns similar to my friend, his wife, who is in a “profession” and can pick up extra for overtime. When their kids were small they never needed to pay for childcare as McDonald’s has 24 hours of shifts to choose from so could always be flexible and work around her hours.

Are you the OP friend, trying to hide behind and excuse ?😂 People in this country need a hearty dose of personal responsibility for their actions.

Well done you OP. The work at McDonald's is fast paced and difficult. There is also a lot of training. I have a DC working there during the holidays, it's really helped with their organisational and social skills.

I got similar shit when I worked at Tesco. I took late shifts when my DH got made redundant . Suited my childcare needs perfectly. It was a hard slog, but I ended up doing 10 years there. Met some fabulous people.

Job snobbery is the reason we have so many: Barista, shop work, carer, restaurant type roles unfilled.

Huge congratulations on your role. Sounds like it's ideal for you and your family.

I worked there once and no regrets whatsoever

I have a “friend” like yours, just ignore her

Meh. I know someone who worked in McDonald's for years. He's a GP now. Even if someone works there for the rest of their working life, great if they enjoy it! I don't judge anyone for their job as long as it isn't hurting anyone. Your friend sounds like a massive snob.

She’s made that comment because in her mind, it’s THE cliched low skilled job, and she is shocked because you are educated and she presumes you could do ‘better’ on paper.

The reality is it’s a flexible, convenient and temporary job for you.

There is nothing wrong with any paying job and doing what you need to do to support your family. A flexible job is very hard to find when you have kids, and I have searched! You’re working hard, bringing in a wage, it fits with your kids, the only shame here is on your snobby ‘friend’.

I think as others have said “working in McDonalds” is sometimes used to mean for a low skilled, dead-end, unpleasant job. Similar with working at Tesco. Flipping burgers or stacking shelves is cultural shorthand for career failure.

If you’d said you worked in Pret she wouldn’t have batted an eyelid, even if it’s basically the same job.

People have always sneered at working for McDonalds, but they typically treat their staff really well, appreciate that people need to fit work around home, and pay well. There's also genuine progression.

The friends I had working at maccas were far happier than the friends working at New Look for example.

What a weird attitude of your friend. I do remember after graduating etc someone I knew got a job in M&S. Theyre still there over a decade later and I presume they enjoy it and it suits them. Some of our acquaintances found it really hard to get their heads around this.

I think you’ve done really well to find something which fits your needs and also enjoy it. I’d be disappointed in the friend to be honest.

Would it be too outing to tell us what work your friend does? I’m sure we could find reasons to sneer at that? !!

Ignore the naysayers, as a company they were good to dd, and the franchise owner was incredibly supportive of his staff generally. Dd was offered a degree apprenticeship and was begged to come back flexibly after she quit. There's a career progression that outsiders don't realise plus they take on 16 year olds unlike many which is vital for many struggling families. Yes it's fast food but there's far worse employers out there especially in hospitality. Perks are good too, she won employee of the month and got a lovely box of things, and we made use of the staff discount card. She also got a free meal of two each shift, many restaurants only give you a discount.

God I want a McDonald’s breakfast now <misses point>

if you’ve got a handy, flexible job that you enjoy and pays the bills while fitting round family life, I think you are winning at life op.

The thing is bills need to be paid! I worked in a factory once as I needed cash- I commend you for your work ethic! I’d be proud of a friend doing what you’re doing, no shame at all.