Keep in mind that while McDonalds is a private business, it is also a franchise, and our store, as well as two others, are owned by the same person. Our boss tells us that we cannot use the carpark. Now, the carpark doesn't have any sign stating it is for customers only, so I figure that because it is not specific, we can park in there. But if there was a sign saying it was for customers only, I believe we could still use the carpark because as soon as we walk through the doors, we are a customer - all we need to do is buy something either before our shift or while on break, and that makes us customers, therefore entitling us to use the customer carpark. Everyone who comes into the store is automatically treated as a customer, whether they purchase something or simply use the restrooms. As son as we come through the doors, we are customers until we leave the building. The street across the road is for public parking, but when we parked there, the occupants of a house threatened to call the police if we parked in what they considered 'their' parking spaces. Some of us have had threatening notes left on our windscreens from these people, and the concern is that they may cause damage to our cars. The carpark at work has security camera, so our cars are safe at all times - but not across the road. We are expected to park across the road, but they also refuse to help us to resolve the situation with the people threatening us. So who do you think is right about this? Are employees of the store customers because we purchase food, or are we to be discriminated against simply because we work there?
The interests of profits serve macdonalds corporate and its franchisees first before the lower level employees unfortunately. A few businesses here do the same thing, employees can't park in the lots because if the lots are full it will drive customers away from purchases. regular fast food consumers aren't normally in the mood to park far away and walk and sweat to get their food so its a good business decision.
That same rule applies to the restaurant I work at. Although, all of us employees park wherever we want and management does not really care. Coming from a legal stand point. Yes, you could be cited for it. However, it's highly unlikely since it isn't really causing an issue.
As long as McD's gives you a paycheck, that establishes the fact that you are an employee and yes, they can tell you not to park in their parking lot, which is reserved for paying customers....... To tell your boss 'I'm a customer too" while you're on the other side of the counter waiting on customers just wouldn't cut it - not to mention the fact, that the employees vehicles would be parked in the parking lot for 8 yrs straight, if you're working full time...... McD's is like any other company - they're out to make a profit and they can only do that if they make their customers happy and to bring in as much $ as possible.... You want a raise, don't you?
What kind of moron puts a fast-food joint in a location that does not offer security for the employees at night? Try to find another job. You're workiong for an idiot, and he will probably find some way to get you hurt in time.
It's my guess that claiming you are a customer also, is not going to cut it with management. But the company should supply a safe area for employees to park. What should happen is, is that you & the other employees should collectively tell management that you all NEED to have some place to park. But that scenario is unlikely to happen because people are afraid to lose their jobs. Employees tend to not stick together & yes that includes alot of union members too. I would probably get fired, 'cause I would tell the boss that if you ain't supplying a place to park, I'm parking where it's safe anyway, but I'd try to be tactful in the way I said it - "Gee, I hope no employee gets robbed or raped parking in an unsafe area...I know I don't want that to happen to me!". And then when someone from management complains about where I(you) park, I'd say "Look, I'm parking in a safe spot, I don't want something to happen to me" & hold onto that. But to do that, you must be willing to maybe losing your job, 'cause it could happen. Good luck.
My wife suggests that you park in the farthest spot possible, in order to not inconvenience customers. Use that in your argument also, that you are parking as far as possible, while trying to stay safe.
I could understand IF they (McD's) requested you guys to all park in a designated area of the lot, as is often done in the states. But (if I'm understand correctly), telling you you can not park on McD's property is totally ridiculous... although, I am not sure if it is against the law. A quick call to the court clerk's office, or a local attorney, should answer the question. Has this issue been brought to the attention of the district manager? Or the owner? Perhaps a concise written letter voicing your concern (respectfully), signed by the employees and sent your district manager, or even the owner would result in a solution well suited for everyone. Good luck with it.
Don't be ridiculous - you've just playing silly word games there. If you're boss says staff can't use the customer carpark, staff can't use the customer carpark. If you find this a great inconvenience, you could have an adult discussion with your boss, pointing out the inconvenience and seeking a reasonable compromise. Trying to trick you way around the rule is petty and probably counter-productive. If you have people threatening you for parking on the street outside their houses, you need to contact the police. McDonalds is your employer, not you mother. Alternatively, you could get a bike. If you're eating at McDonalds regularly, you'll probably need the exercise.
She won't be allowed to get by w/that when there's the rest of the employees who have to park on the streets.... and what's more, I wouldn't even try to sneak my car into the furthest away spot on the company's parking lot and expect management and the other coworkers to accept it. That's not going to happen. Every company I've worked for had this rule and we accepted it - except for the Red Cross where we could park in the lot - except for blood donation days and then it was reserved for the donors and volunteers - no exceptions. Not even for the boss.
There are no car parks in the area, and most of us live at least 10 mins away so we have to drive. I am 15 mins away now so I have to drive. The carpark holds around 30 cars, which is more than the busiest store holds. We can park across the street, or around the corner, but our cars are not protected which is why we prefer the carpark. The majority of people walk, anyway, and the majority of our customers use the drive thru. And yes, I am a customer when we buy something. Just because we are employees doesn't mean we are not also customers! I would reach a compromise though, with my boss. Staff can't use the carpark, and that includes the boss. If she couldn't use the carpark to park her own car, she'd have a fit!
When a person works long enuf and hard enuf to work their way into a managerial position - that's one of their perks.... usually a reserved parking spot for them. That's just the name of the game......... Well, you & your coworkers can have a staff meeting, lay all your concerns on the table and hope management changes their mind, but if they don't, they don't and nothing you can do about it..... except get a different job and hope you have a parking spot next to the building. And that rarely happens w/entry-level jobs..... And technically, you are NOT considered a customer by management during your working hours. When you go there to eat AFTER your working hours, then you are a legit customer.... I'm sorry, but thinking you can have it both ways is really silly....
I often do eat there after working hours - this should mean I am seen as a customer. They have threatened to tow our cars if we don't move them. But they can't tow us all away, and if they do, we don't have a car, and not having a car means we can't get to work. They can't fire us all, either.
Don't count on it.... I imagine there's a lot of young unemployed kids who wouldn't mind working at McD.......... Like I already said, you're a customer after you clock out.... If they've already threatened to tow your cars, I'd suggest an attitude adjustment. You & your co-workers are not going to win.....
They need to erect a sign which says the carpark is for customers only. It has no sign, so at the moment, I would assume anyone can use it, for whatever reason.
Mak your status as an employee is determined by the contract of work that you have with your boss. Your status as employee only ends when you or your boss or both of you decide that it is over. Your boss can give you reasonable directions related to work and that includes where not to park. Getting a car park for employees working evening and nights is a bona fide industrial issue that a union would take up on your behalf. I realise that some people won't join the union or don't want the union to intervene in which case it comes down to HR (if there is a department that handles it on behalf of franchisees) sorting it out. Worker safety is important. OHS laws are now uniform across Australia and there may be something there that helps as well.
The vast majority of us will not park anywhere else but in our car park. We want our cars to be safe, and not at risk of damage. There is safety in numbers. They can't tow all the cars and they can't fire us all - even if some think they could, things are better here for workers than overseas. We have the upper hand here - we've been ignoring this silly rule for months. It is our carpark, we work there, we will use the carpark, no matter what they thiknk.
Disobedience to a reasonable instruction is grounds for summary dismissal so I wouldn't push it too much. What about the search for a compromise? On a day shift the boss could think that the requirement to park in the "customer" car park is a convenience. But after dark I would think the case could be put for it being about security of workers. And what about the views of customers who use the car park? Is there a way that that these can be ascertained? I suppose it depends on the individual location but I would have thought that lunchtime would be busier than say evening and perhaps there would be a greater need for lunchtime access for customer parking than in the evening, when I would think the drive-through would be more popular. Has any thought been given to surveying customers with a questionnaire or approaching them in the restaurant area to seek their views? My point is that perhaps everyone should move away from the barricades and do a bit of problem-solving - and that goes for the boss as well of course.
Well, I agree w/that, they should. But your boss probably feels announcing the 'no parking' rule at staff meetings or thru written notices to each employee should be sufficient. She did do this, didn't she? If she did, there's no 'assuming' nothing. All of you had been told. so in that case, why would a bunch of adults also need a physical, written sign in front of your faces explaining it again?
"We have the upper hand here".... Oh my gosh! LOL! That's funny! If that's true, what a wussy manager your McD's has.... And btw, it is not 'our carpark' - it is the owner's carpark and what belongs to the owner does not belong to the employees.... you guys are only hired hands who can easily be replaced. I'm surprised this hasn't dawned on any of you guys ... but good luck in your quest to control management and call the shots.... lol.
It was a notice posted on the bulletin board, that was all. And there needs to be a sign - just as there are signs stating private parking, public parking, etc. No sign means anyone can park there.
Sorry, Mak - but I don't buy this 'they should also do this and that'.... a notice on the employees bulletin board should be enuf, but if your manager isn't going to enforce the rule and you & your coworkers really do have the upper hand - then more power to you all.... Keep in mind - managers come and go and you may suddenly find yourself w/a hard ass boss who doesn't put up w/this kind of attitude..... what are ya gonna do then?
You'll probably find that your employer has a duty of care to provide you with a safe working environment. You should check if this applies to you being assaulted or inflicted with bodily harm if you park elsewhere, especially if the employer knows about it.
The fact that they want us to park across the road, even though though there is a crazy (*)(*)(*)(*)(*) living there is proof they don't give a (*)(*)(*)(*) about our safety, and the fact our safety is in jeopardy is most of the reason why we continue to use the carpark, because we know that our cars, and ourselves, are safe from any harm.
