McDonald's wants Mcjob removed from dictionary

McDonald’s UK arm has launched a campaign to get British dictionary publishers to revise their definitions of the term McJob.

The Oxford English Dictionary describes the word as an “unstimulating, low-paid job with few prospects”.

David Fairhurst, vice president (people), said: "We believe that the definition of McJob is out of date, out of touch with reality and most importantly is insulting to those talented, committed, hard-working people who serve the public every day in the UK.

"It’s time the dictionary definition of ‘McJob’ changed to reflect a job that is stimulating, rewarding and offers genuine opportunities for career progression and skills that last a lifetime."

The word McJob was first used in the US in the 1980s and was popularised by Douglas Coupland's 1991 novel Generation X.

It first appeared in the online version of the Oxford English Dictionary in March 2001.

McDonald's has been working on improving the image of its employment opportunities over recent years and last year launched the slogan “McProspects - over half of our executive team started in our restaurants. Not bad for a McJob”.

Earlier this year the company was named Caterer’s Best Place to Work in Hospitality in 2007.

McDonald’s beat off strong competition from other individual award winners including Malmaison Hotel du Vin, Starwood Hotels & Resorts and Ego Restaurants to take the overall prize.

by Kertsin Kuhn

Watch CatererTV and McDonald's Best Places win>>

Caterer's Best Places To Work>>

McDonald’s enjoys bumper year as December sales soar>>

 

E-mail your comments to Kerstin Kuhn here.

 

Get your copy of Caterer and Hotelkeeper every week - click here to subscribe and save 25%.