A McDonald's employee website, intended to be a resource for employees looking for information on managing things like stress, health and finances, is under scrutiny after some say they're not lovin' it.
According to a video by advocate group “Low Pay Is Not OK,” the company’s advice on their "McResource" site includes “breaking food into pieces” to feel full on less food, singing away their stress, and taking two vacations to help decrease their risk of heart attack.
It also suggests employees return unopened holiday gifts they may not need, or sell them, for some "quick cash."
While some say the tips are less-than-helpful, McDonald's claims the advice was taken out of context.
“This is an attempt by an outside organization to undermine a well-intended employee assistance resource website by taking isolated portions out of context," the company said in a statement. "The McResource website has helped countless employees by providing them with a variety of information and resources on topics ranging from health and wellness to stress and financial management. The website also includes some rotating “quick tips” and while we recognize that some of these could be taken out of context, the vast majority of the resources and information on the site are based on credible outside experts and well-published advice."
The company also noted the content for the site was provided by an independent work-life, health and wellness company and said they plan to work with them to review the content and make "any necessary adjustments to the information to make sure that it stays a trusted, accurate, and useful tool for employees who choose to use it."
The hot line was scrutinized last month after “Low Pay Is Not OK” released a recording of a Chicagoland employee being told by an operator to try food pantries, federal food stamps and Medicaid, to assist her with her financial issues.
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“This video is not an accurate portrayal of the resource line as this is very obviously an edited video," McDonald's said in a written statement. "The fact is that the McResource Line is intended to be a free, confidential service to help employees and their families get answers to a variety of questions or provide resources on a variety of topics including housing, child care, transportation, grief, elder care, education and more."
Workers were demanding a minimum wage increase from $7.25 to $15 an hour. They also called for better benefits.
The company was also criticized after labor experts told the Today Show that Oak Brook-based McDonald's financial site, which gives tips on money issues like how to create a monthly budget, doesn't create a realistic view of actual workers' monthly spending.
