Perks perking up faster at McDonald's

By MARK ALBRIGHT

© St. Petersburg Times,
published June 4, 2001

Because even career-minded workers expect to job hop these days, McDonald's Corp. is shrinking the wait for store manager benefits that were originally conceived to encourage longevity.

For instance, the burger giant's store managers used to get a car for personal use in their fifth year. Now, the keys are being passed out after their first year. The benefit includes gas and maintenance, but company cars are not frumpy, four-door numbers that look like a taxi cab. Store managers can order any Ford/Mercury model and option of their choice (although they must pay extra for anything fancier than a Ford Focus).

When 21 managers of the 68 company-owned McDonald's in the Tampa Bay area got their first company cars last month, 18 chose Ford Escape XLS SUVs and one opted for a minivan.

McDonald's, which pays beginning store managers $33,000 to $54,000 a year, is talking about offering its popular mid-career paid sabbaticals sooner, too. In addition to paid vacations, store managers get eight weeks off every 10 years to reflect on their career and personal goals or just unwind. McDonald's is considering adding a four-week sabbatical for store managers after their fifth year.

"In focus groups, managers said they preferred time away from work," said Jennifer Birkmeier, human resources manager for the bay area. "Given today's world of shorter job expectations, managers think they'll be more likely to actually use a benefit that's available within five years."

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