The Wages of Arizona McDonald’s Workers: A Cause for Concern
McDonald’s is one of the largest fast-food chains in the world that has been in operation since 1955. The company has grown to over 38,000 locations in more than 100 countries globally. The franchise has been criticized in the past about wages, health care coverage, and working conditions. The wages at McDonald’s have been a major point of discussion. In January 2019, McDonald’s was sued in California over its labor practices, and in 2020, it was sued in Arizona by the state attorney general over the company’s alleged failure to protect workers.
The Arizona Minimum Wage
In Arizona, the minimum wage is $12.15 per hour. However, this is not the case for McDonald’s. According to a report in CNBC in 2020, McDonald’s paid its employees $10 per hour on average, which is lower than the minimum wage. Arizona workers need to know that McDonald’s does not adhere to the minimum wage requirement. According to the report, the average hourly wage paid to employees working at McDonald’s is $10 – $12 hourly, with managers earning about $20 per hour on average. As per the report, the average hourly wage for fast-food workers in the country was $10.80 per hour, which is slightly higher than what McDonald’s pays.
The Effects of Low Pay
The discrepancy in wages creates a challenging working environment for McDonald’s workers in Arizona. Employees are forced to work long hours to make ends meet. It places them under immense financial pressure, especially those supporting families on their wages. This creates a stressful work environment for employees, leading to decreased productivity and dissatisfaction.
What’s more, the hours of work McDonald’s employees in Arizona are expected to endure varies from one employee to another. Some work a few hours a week, while others work grueling schedules of 50-60 hours a week with no overtime paid. A lawsuit filed against McDonald’s by the state attorney general alleges that the company violated Arizona’s minimum wage law, resulting in thousands of employees being underpaid since 2012. The case is still pending in court, but the allegations are a clear indication of the difficulties Arizona McDonald’s workers face.
The consequences of low pay are twofold. Firstly, the quality of work produced by employees is lower than it would be if they were adequately compensated. Secondly, it leads to high staff turnover rates as employees opt to leave and find better-paying jobs. This high turnover rate creates challenges for the management of McDonald’s locations in Arizona who have to spend more time and resources training new employees, resulting in decreased sales and profits.
However, employee turnover also leads to low morale among employees who are left. It can be demoralizing when one sees people leaving because they can’t make do with their wages. Consequently, Arizona McDonald’s workers are less motivated, less productive, less engaged, and less loyal leading to a decrease in sales and profits.
The Way Forward
Arizona residents should be aware of the challenges McDonald’s employees face in the state. They need to know that working at McDonald’s is not financially rewarding or satisfying. It is up to the management and the franchise owners to address wage and hour issues and pay their employees appropriately. They should also consider providing benefits such as healthcare, paid vacations, and sick days to attract and retain employees.
Conclusion
The wages at McDonald’s have been a subject of controversy for years. Despite the company being renowned worldwide for its fast-food products, its employees are underpaid in many locations, including Arizona. The wages paid to McDonald’s employees in Arizona are lower than the state minimum wage, leading to a negative impact on employee morale, productivity, and staff turnover rates. The company should address this disparity by offering fair wages to its employees to promote job satisfaction, retention, and productivity leading to an increase in profits. Arizona residents should be aware of the challenges McDonald’s workers face and call upon the company’s management to address the issue.
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