The Dogmother Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 Don't knock casual work like working in McDs - I supported myself as a student by having evening and part-time jobs. I was a waitress, office cleaner, bar worker, nanny.. and various other things besides. OK, so some of them were less inspiring than others, but I was brought up with a strong work ethic and managed to finish my studies without any debts, which is no mean feat. It has also made me happy to accept any work offered rather than claiming benefits. I can think of a few people of my acquaintance, who are on the dole and won't accept certain jobs offered because they are 'beneath them' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 I wasn't knocking casual work Clare. Just working at McDs I don't like their ethics at all. I've stuffed enveloopes and been a cleaner in my past and I'm not ashamed of it. The thing I can't get my head around is getting official qualifications there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 Perhaps I should have made that clearer Bron - my comment wasn't aimed at you - just in general. Personally, I would draw the line at working for McDs because I don't agree with their principles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ana's flock Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 Don't knock casual work like working in McDs - I supported myself as a student by having evening and part-time jobs. I was a waitress, office cleaner, bar worker, nanny.. and various other things besides. OK, so some of them were less inspiring than others, but I was brought up with a strong work ethic and managed to finish my studies without any debts, which is no mean feat. It has also made me happy to accept any work offered rather than claiming benefits. I can think of a few people of my acquaintance, who are on the dole and won't accept certain jobs offered because they are 'beneath them' Same here: au-pair, cleaner, bar maid, stuffing envelopes, check-outs, etc etc... so they do have a place on the steps to a career, and as you say, they do teach you about responsibility, pride on a job well done (whatever the type of job it may be), and pride that you're earning your living. I also know a few people who prefer to claim benefits... I don't rate them too highly either. I believe there are jobs out there for all types of abilities or disabilities. Not everyone out there is lucky enough to have a good level of education, or ability to learn, and I've seen people with learning challenges working very nicely and happily. In fact I've been looked after very well at a little restaurant in Milton Keynes staffed exclusively by people with this type of challenge... and the food was fantastic, all organically grown in their nearby little farm. (And NO, it's not MacDonalds!!! ) So i agree with the value of casual work, for everyone to have opportunities to develop themselves, etc etc... but I still don't like McDonalds and their principles (I wonder how many of you have had to finish/throw away McDonalds food because your children were bribed by the little marketing toy/gadget of the month...) 'nuff said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 My eldest brother runs the MacDonalds on the Isle of Man - he's a fully trained chef, with a good few years of experience under his chefs hat, working at the Caledonian Hotel in Edinburgh. Having his knowledge of the company, and experience of working in the licensed trade industry myself, in various guises from p/t barmaid, to senior management, I can assure you that the qualification will be far more useful than an 'A' level in burger turning. There is a significant amount of training required to be able to work efficiently in the catering industry, as a lot of you will no doubt know, from basic food hygiene certificates, first aid certificates to people management and personnel training. As far as I can make out, this qualitfication will be for those looking to tale their first step into management, and will be equally of use in any other public service industry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 29, 2008 Author Share Posted January 29, 2008 My colleague and I were sent on a basic food hygiene course. .......don't ask . It was a joke. If you knew which way to hold your crayon you passed. That is why I am a tad sceptical about it. I don't mention it on my CV. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 There is a basic standard that companies must attain, to be able to hand out a basic food hygiene certificate (ie, "when must you wash your hands, a) after going to the toilet b)after picking your nose c) after scratching your **** or d) after all of the above") pretty easy, to get the maximum amount of people through, then there are decent training courses, for staff who handle food on a daily basis. I did a week long food hygiene course, and I'm assured that MacD's is similar to the one I did with S&N. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 29, 2008 Author Share Posted January 29, 2008 Those questions were on it I'm sure! It took a day as I recall. My pal and I knew more than the lecturer (I use the term loosely!). I'm sure I've mentioned this on the forum before....he kept banging on about "Staff lock us"....the penny dropped eventually.....he meant staphylococcus. He answered his mobile during the "lecture" and called the male attendees "mate" and the females "duck" so all in all it was an experience not to be repeated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 called the male attendees "mate" and the females "duck" so all in all it was an experience not to be repeated! Was he from Banbury perchance? Duck is a term they use here too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 29, 2008 Author Share Posted January 29, 2008 No....he was a Sheffielder. Even had SWFC tattooed on his arm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riane Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 I always thought "luv" was sheffield and "duck" was chesterfield Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Pudding Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 I was at university in Nottingham and everyone there is 'me duck', too. I'd been called all sorts, but never 'duck'. I rather liked it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 You sometimes get called "hen" up here. I couldn't possibly take offence at that . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 29, 2008 Author Share Posted January 29, 2008 I think "duck" must straddle the boundaries Maria. My neighbours calls me "duck" and they are Sheffielders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 30, 2008 Share Posted January 30, 2008 I used to have an Area Manager who called every female manager he had 'Hen' and every male manager 'son', because he claimed to be unable to remember everyones name.. He even continued to call me 'hen' after I was promoted to work in the office with him, and sat at a desk right next to him for 8 hours a day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
