THE BURGER CHAIN goes large on efforts to motivate its workforce, from getting them involved in the design of their new uniform to offering flexible shared contracts and good career opportunities. A nationwide “with McDonald's, I can” internal competition discovered that people join the business for a range of reasons: to earn money while studying, to have the flexibility to take up new hobbies and for the training, which they consider to be of great personal benefit to them (an unbeaten 77% positive score on this year's list). McDonald's has its headquarters in London and is led by chief executive officer Paul Pomroy. The organisation opened in the UK in 1974 and now employs 37,124 people at 1,250 sites nationwide. It's a young crowd with an average age of 18, and 95% are on zero-hours contracts. The business has helped its people to gain more than 70,000 qualifications over the past decade. It invests £40m a year in a package of learning opportunities, from a foundation degree in business operations to new degree apprenticeships. A scheme for school leavers, which aims to attract future management talent, is run in association with Manchester Metropolitan University. Staff feel the job is good for personal growth (80%, second) and that managers motivate them to do their best every day (73%, first). www.mcdonalds.co.uk
