A McJob is a term used to describe a low-paying job with no prospects. The term is used in a derogatory manner to describe a low-paying job that is frequently associated with the service industry, a position for which skills are rarely required and staff turnover is high. Many people take a McJob to help support themselves while they attend college, or because the job is low-stress and requires little brainpower. According to recent reports, people are now using the McJob as a stepping stone into a career. Many people who started out working behind the counter at McDonald’s have gone on to become managers or franchise owners, according to the company.
Douglas Coupland popularized the term McJob in his 1991 book Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture, in which he used it frequently. The word was coined by Coupland to describe the job’s meaninglessness: no future, low pay, no benefits, and no dignity. Every parent’s worst nightmare was hearing their child ask, “Do you want fries with that?”
McJob has become a part of the English language. Although it is still found in English dictionaries, some argue that the term is now obsolete. Working for a company like McDonald’s has a positive impact on young employees, according to a recent independent study. It gives you valuable work experience, improves your interpersonal skills, and can lead to better job opportunities.
However, no matter how hard McDonalds tries, the word McJob can’t seem to get away from its original meaning. Despite plans to include the word McJob in the 1997 edition of the Oxford English Dictionary, the company threatened legal action, so the word was removed. McDonald’s, as is customary when faced with negative publicity, went on the offensive and threatened legal action.
McOfficeJob is a recent variation on the word McJob. This term refers to low-wage office jobs with no prospect of advancement, such as call center jobs. Because of the nature of the work, temporary jobs are commonly referred to as McJobs. Employers frequently keep a large number of temporary employees on staff because they do not have to pay them for vacations or sick days. Many benefits available to permanent employees are not available to temporary employees.
Many workers, according to some psychologists, can develop a McJob mentality. People who work in these types of jobs for a long time can be conditioned or brainwashed to enjoy the stress-free environment. Fear of leaving the McJob and gaining a more responsible position has kept many people in McJobs for years. Psychologists have even linked the number of stars on a worker’s badge, which indicate how long they’ve been with the company, to the extent of the brainwashing. It may not be long before health guidelines for temporary McJob workers are established.