McDonald’s, the world’s largest fast-food chain, has had to make some tough decisions recently, and in the latest development, its U.S. offices have been ordered to close, leaving thousands of employees on the brink of losing their jobs. As the famous golden arches dim, the looming question is just how many of its workers will be affected by this decision? Stay tuned to learn all of the details.
As part of its restructuring plan, McDonald’s has temporarily closed its U.S. offices in preparation for a wave of layoffs.
The company requested that U.S. employees and some international employees work from home Monday through Wednesday as it performs layoffs virtually. There has been no indication of how many employees will be laid off.
In an email obtained by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), the company said it would communicate key decisions regarding roles and staffing levels across the organization during the week of April 3.
As a result of spring break and Easter, the company decided to perform layoffs virtually due to the busy travel week.
The company said it wanted to ensure the comfort and confidentiality of its employees during the notification period.
Earlier this year, McDonald’s Chief Executive Officer Chris Kempczinski said the company would be making “difficult” decisions to restructure its corporate staff. WSJ reports that the company employs roughly 150,000 people worldwide between its restaurants and corporate operations.
However, corporate jobs may not be the only positions being axed by the company in the near future. Earlier this year, McDonald’s opened its first fully automated restaurant operated by robots in Fort Worth, Texas. The restaurant’s dining room and drive-thru require no human interaction for ordering or picking up meals.
In light of the recent closures and layoffs, McDonald’s is only one example of many businesses handing out pink slips to its employees. The shock announcement has left many workers feeling uncertain about their future, but it’s an unfortunate sign of the times we live in. All in all, it is clear that the fallout will have far-reaching consequences on the global economy and the lives of people affected by it.
