McDonald’s survey shows bridging the generation gap is the key to a happier workforce

New research by McDonald’s UK reveals the positive impact a multigenerational workforce can deliver, as 16 year olds born in the year 2000 enter the workforce for the first time this summer.

As one of the largest employers in the UK, McDonald’s brought together statisticians, researchers and its own research and insights team to understand the value to its restaurant teams and to its customers of having a workforce that spans more than seven decades.

In a survey of more than 32,000 of McDonald’s own UK employees, analysed by independent statisticians, people who work with a cross-section of ages registered a 10% increase in happiness levels compared to those who work with their peer group.

The mutual benefits of a broad range of age groups working side-by-side is also recognised by customers. Out of a sample of 1000 McDonald’s customers, an overwhelming majority (84%) like to see a mix of ages in the restaurant team and most (60%) expect better service as a result. Customers are not disappointed, and of those who see a difference the majority do prefer the experience with just under half (44%) saying it created a good atmosphere in the restaurant.

To explore attitudes among potential future employees, McDonald’s UK commissioned a census of 5000 people representing each of the five working generations. It revealed that adults of all ages are united in wanting to be part of a multigenerational workforce:

• The opportunity to work with people of different ages was the top priority for more than half of all respondents (58%)
• This factor was important for older people born between 1900 and 1964 (67%), as well as 16-year olds (57%)
• 70% of people across the generations expect to work with people who have different life experiences and views of the world.

Claire Hall, Chief People Officer of McDonald’s UK said: “As these insights show, teams that bring together a mix of people of different ages and at different life stages are fundamental to creating a happy and motivated workplace and to delivering a great customer experience.”