McDonald’s to raise pay; offer paid leave, educational help

Oak Brook, Ill. - McDonald’s USA has decided to give employees a break, in the form of higher pay, paid time off and educational assistance. McDonald’s is raising starting wages at company-owned restaurants in the U.S. one dollar more than the locally-mandated minimum wage, as of July 1.



The wages of all employees up to restaurant manager will be adjusted accordingly, based on tenure and job performance. By the end of 2016, McDonald’s projects that the average hourly wage rate for McDonald’s employees at company-owned restaurants will be in excess of $10.



In addition, the company is expanding its Archways to Opportunities education offerings to provide eligible U.S. restaurant employees at both company-owned and franchised restaurants free high school completion and college tuition assistance.



Also on July 1, full- and part-time crew employees at company-owned restaurants with at least one year of service will begin to accrue personal paid time-off. For example, an employee who works an average of 20 hours per week will be eligible to accrue approximately 20 hours of paid time off per year. If these employees don’t take the time off they’ve earned, they will be paid for the value of that time.



These two benefit enhancements apply to McDonald’s company-owned restaurants, which represent more than 90,000 employees and about 10% of McDonald’s restaurants nationwide. The more than 3,100 McDonald’s franchisees operate their individual businesses and make their own decisions on pay and benefits for their employees.