McDonald’s: Fast-food chain issues desperate plea for 14 and 15 years old to apply for job | World | News

A branch in Medford, Oregon unveiled a banner two weeks ago asking for the younger population to apply for jobs. Heather Coleman, who runs the branch, claimed the staffing shortages had been unheard of during her family’s 40-year history operating McDonald’s franchises. Ms Coleman had initially raised the restaurant’s minimum wage up to £10.50 in order to attract more workers.

She told Business Insider: “There are always staffing issues, but this is unheard of.”

Ms Colemen added the drop in age requirements brought in an additional 25 new applicants within two weeks.

The restaurant is legally permitted to employ those 14 and above in non-hazardous jobs such as fast-food services.

This is only permitted as long as their hours are limited to accommodate schooling and they are allowed adequate breaks.

Due to staff shortages, McDonald’s has also been forced to introduce improved sign-on bonuses and benefits including childcare.

McDonald’s is not the only company to suffer from staff shortages, however.

Texas chicken chain, Layne’s Chicken Fingers is promoting work for those in their teens.

They are offering management roles paying more than $50,000 (£36,257) due to the shortage of older staff.

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A Twitter user had also posted a picture of a Burger King branch in Ohio also advertising jobs for those between 14 and 15 earlier this year.

It read: “Do you have a 14- or 15-year-old?

“Do they need a job? We will hire them!”

Staff shortages have also been reported in the UK due to the pandemic.

With many European workers heading back to the continent during the pandemic, industry leaders across the country have reported shortfalls in their staff numbers.

Tom Bradshaw, vice president of the NFU said: “For the past 18 months food and farming businesses have been working hard to keep shelves and fridges full of nutritious and affordable food, but as this report demonstrates, businesses throughout the supply chain in a wide variety of roles are really feeling the impacts of the workforce shortages.