McDonald's USA announces new benefits for its employees

McDonald's USA announced enhanced benefits for employees at its company-owned restaurants, including a wage increase and paid time-off for full and part-time crew employees.

In addition, the company is expanding its Archways to Opportunities education offerings to provide eligible U.S. restaurant employees -- at both company-owned and franchised restaurants -- with free high school completion and college tuition assistance.

"We've been working on a comprehensive benefits package for our employees -- the people who bring our brand to life for customers every day in our U.S. restaurants," said McDonald's President and CEO Steve Easterbrook. "We've listened to our employees and learned that -- in addition to increased wages -- paid personal leave and financial assistance for completing their education would make a real difference in their careers and lives."

On July 1, 2015, starting wages at McDonald's company-owned restaurants in the U.S. will be one dollar over the locally-mandated minimum wage. The wages of all employees up to restaurant manager will be adjusted accordingly based on tenure and job performance. By the end of 2016, McDonald's projects that the average hourly wage rate for McDonald's employees at company-owned restaurants will be in excess of USD 10.

Also on July 1, full- and part-time crew employees at company-owned restaurants, with at least one year of service, will begin to accrue personal paid time-off. For example, an employee who works an average of 20 hours per week will be eligible to accrue approximately 20 hours of paid time off per year. If these employees don't take the time off they've earned, they will be paid for the value of that time.

In addition, McDonald's USA is increasing efforts to help the approximately 750,000 employees who work in a McDonald's restaurant -- company- and independently-owned -- achieve a higher level of education by expanding its Archways to Education offerings to include free high school completion and college tuition assistance.