The term 'McJob' was first coined by the American author Douglas Coupland in the cult novel Generation X. It has stuck fast in popular terminology, even assuming collective status for all such service sector occupations... However, the 'McJob' is one of the fastest growing occupations in the UK and is now the biggest single employer of people under 21. It is a job at the very heart of the 21st century labour market, even though it was essentially designed over half a century ago.
(Source: Westwood, 2007, Is new work good work?, p.3)
McDonald's begins McJob petition
Fast-food giant McDonald's has launched a petition to get the dictionary definition of a McJob changed. The Oxford English Dictionary currently describes a McJob as "an unstimulating low-paid job with few prospects".
McDonald's says this definition is now "out of date and insulting", and claims a survey found that 69% of the UK population agree it needs updating. ...
'Making a stand'
"The current definition is extremely insulting to the 67,000 people who work for us within the UK," said McDonald's senior vice president David Fairhurst. "It is also insulting for everyone else who works in the wider restaurant and tourism sectors."
"It is time for us now to make a stand and get the Oxford English Dictionary to change the definition." McDonald's says that in its staff surveys, 90% of employees agree they are given valuable training that will be of benefit for the rest of their working lives. And 82% of its workers would recommend working at the company to their friends.
'Derogatory'
McDonald's is now inviting its customers to sign petition books in its stores, or alternatively via a new website, entitled "Change The Definition".
Meanwhile, Labour MP Mr Clive Betts is sponsoring a Question in Parliament, which regrets the use of the derogatory phrases attached to service sector jobs.
McDonald's says it will hand the petition into the Oxford English Dictionary in the autumn. (Source: BBC News Online, 2007)
Question
Using your understanding of four HRM theories, explain why a 'McJob' (a generic term for a low paid service sector job and not just a counter assistant job in McDonald's) could be described as 'unstimulating'. Explain what you could do, as an HRM manager, to increase the stimulation and interest of employees
working in a 'McJob' in the service sector. Three relevant HRM theories
(i) motivation theories
(ii) job design
(iii) the job characteristics model
(iv) a fourth theory or topic from Book 2.
Explain why you have chosen (iv). For each of (i) to (iv), explain how and why the theory or topic helps to answer this question.
Question
What information can you find on the internet relating to the idea of a McJob?
List two web sources that you find and say why you found these to be the most interesting/helpful in terms of understanding the concept (and answering Question 1) and why.
Title and Contents page
Executive summary
1. The McJob: unstimulating? An analysis using HRM theory
1.1. motivation theories
1.2. job design theories
1.3. the job characteristics model
2. Some useful information regarding the McJob on the internet
3. Conclusion
4. References
You may personally agree or disagree with:
(a) the definition of a McJob
(b) the fact that it is now an entry in the Oxford English Dictionary
(c) that McDonald's is attempting to have it excluded from the dictionary.