Meet Susie...

Why did you start at McDonald’s?

I was a bus driver for 12 years and I really enjoyed it. But when I had my youngest son I wasn’t able to do really early mornings or nights. A job came up at McDonald’s. I went for the interview and said I could only work evenings at that time, and they said that was fine. They accommodated my needs so I was able to look after my kids during the day and go and work at night.

I started as Customer Care Assistant and I did that on evenings for about a year. Then I split up from my partner and couldn’t work nights; they were great and let me go onto day shifts. I was a Crew Member and then got promoted to a Crew Trainer. Quite quickly I did the shift management course and became a Shift Manager – I’ve been doing for 2 years now.

What do you like most about working at McDonald’s?

I love the people I work with. They are all amazing, it’s a great McFamily. I love crew parties. I love the flexibility because I am able to look after my children and they don’t feel like they’ve missed out. I love the opportunities that I have been given. They let me do an apprenticeship, that was great! I was able to learn whilst I was working and improve and get better with a great team.

What skills do you use in your job?

If I am running a shift, obviously I have to communicate with everybody and make sure they know what role is expected of them and what their secondary responsibilities are. I am in charge of training at the moment with another manager, so I get to chat to the crew trainers and make sure they are doing their job properly. I make sure new crew members are being rotated well, so that they feel they are learning everything and not just stuck on one station.

I encourage my employees by telling them how good they are, making them able to improve themselves by pointing out what they are doing great and allowing them chance to develop. I try and work to their strengths and encourage them. Sometimes younger crew members don’t think they are capable of anything, so I try to give them a little bit of a push and tell them they are doing great and then reward them at the end of the shift.

I like seeing people who are lacking confidence gain confidence at work and realise that they can do things they couldn’t before – that is really rewarding.

How has the flexibility of your role helped you live the life you want?

The flexibility of McDonald’s has been amazing. I have been able to be there for my children, especially for my younger son starting primary school. McDonald’s were great, very accommodating. They allow me holidays in the school holidays. I am really lucky – I don’t take it for granted at all. I am able to have fun out of work and have fun in work and just make loads of friends at work as well – it’s great.

What has been your most proud moment at McDonald’s?

Doing the apprenticeship and then being invited to come down to head office in London to do a video about my apprenticeship! I got ‘Manager of the Month’ that month as well, I worked really hard and to be recognised for that was amazing – that makes me feel really proud.

It was just a job to earn money and I never dreamt that it would be so amazing. I definitely made the right decision walking in that day. I love it.

How is the social life at McDonald’s? Have you made friends?

I never thought that you can get on with people who are half your age, but I went out only this week and met up with a few people who used to work at McDonald’s and have left – we just stay in touch. They did a surprise party for my fortieth birthday which I had no idea about. How they managed to communicate everything at work without me knowing was amazing! I have made great friends… and I met my boyfriend at McDonald’s as well.

What do you do when you are not working?

I am a mum, I’ve got two boys and I am busy looking after them. When I do have spare time I like to run, I’ve signed up for the Bristol half marathon raising money for RMHB in Bristol. I do park run and my youngest son volunteers with me on that Saturday, and he does the junior park run on the Sunday.