Fast-food giant McDonald’s has been voted Caterer and Hotelkeeper’s Best Place to Work in Hospitality 2008 in the restaurant and bar sector.

David Fairhurst, senior vice president, chief people officer, McDonald’s Restaurants said:
“We invest time, energy and resources into getting the right people into our business – people who have the potential to deliver an outstanding customer experience. We believe that whether employees join us a stepping stone to another job or stay for a long-term career, it is our duty to unlock their potential and give them the skills, competence and confidence to develop in their careers and beyond.”

Fairhurst added that the company aims to attract and retain ‘highly-motivated’ employees by providing a wide range of benefits designed to help them juggle work commitments with busy lifestyles.

One of the initiatives launched in 2007 to help staff strike a balance between work and family life is the ‘Friends & Family Contract’, which allows two friends or family members working in the same restaurant to cover each other’s shifts, without prior notice.

Employees also enjoy benefits including discount cards saving them money on a range of products on everything from driving lessons, holidays and days out to iPods, CDs, computers and clothing, said McDonald’s.

The firm is also applauded for its efforts in people development. In January 2008, McDonald’s was given awarding body status, meaning it will be able to train UK staff up to the same level as an A Level and amongst other awards was listed in The Guardian’s ‘Britain’s Top Employers 2006’ rankings.