Best Small Company

2007 Best Small Company

Name of organisation:
McDonald's Shannon

Number of employees:
23

Customer Service:
Food and Beverage

Some examples of what McDonald's Shannon have done:

Leadership

The business has an Equality Policy and works closely with Clare Supported Employment to employ people with disabilities. The business has been chosen to pilot E-Learning which will deliver training to employees in different formats. They ensure that their commitment to disability is communicated to all staff through the staff handbook and employees participating in Rap Sessions. This forum allows all employees the opportunity to discuss their views and issues. Suppliers and sub-contractors are made aware of the business’ positive attitude to disability. All senior management have received disability awareness training and they advertise the fact that they are accessible to all.

Environmental Accessibility

The external environment has accessible car parking spaces, routes and a traffic management system in place. The internal environment is accessible with level access and a Lobby Hostess to assist all customers. Signage is clear and easy to follow. Seating is varied and all staff have received disability awareness training. The Health and Safety Statement references people with disabilities and each employee with a disability has their own emergency evacuation plan. An employee with a disability sits on the Health & Safety Circle.

Customer Service

Specific services are offered to accommodate people with disabilities and these are constantly being up-graded. There is a Lobby Hostess to help those who request assistance. Every month they get two visits from Gap Busters (Mystery Shoppers) who report back to Head Office on Customer Service. The CEO meets with people with disabilities to discuss with them their needs and requirements as customers and the business actively seek to attract customers with disabilities. Staff have received disability awareness training on serving customers with disabilities.

Recruitment & Selection

There is a recruitment and selection policy which includes reference to disability. Consideration is always given to internal candidates and all vacancies are reviewed taking into account reasonable accommodation. When using Employment Tests the business ensures that they do not exclude people with disabilities by allowing them to submit their tests in cassette format. When hiring they look for attitude rather than qualifications. All interviewers have received disability awareness training and they work closely with Clare Supported Employment when recruiting people with disabilities.

Learning, Development & Progression

There is a training operation in place for every work station and everyone has equal opportunities within the business. Each employee has the opportunity to train in three work operations. Performance Appraisals take place and the first is after three weeks. Every employee starts at the same level and works their way up in the business. They are piloting an E-Learning course which will be available to all employees.

Retention & Well Being

They encourage employees who have acquired a disability to stay at work and take a positive and pro-active approach. Risk assessments are carried out yearly and they operate a hazard log book, this in turn is used to promote a healthy working environment. They have put in place an Automatic Hygiene System which promotes and monitors washing of hands, this scheme has had massive positive impact on both employees and customers. They brought in independent consultants to carry out an access audit.