McDonald’s Announces Additional Precautionary Measures for Restaurant Employee Health and Well-Being

McDonald’s and our independent franchisees are here to serve communities across the United States, and our customers and employees are depending on us now more than ever. Nearly all McDonald’s U.S. restaurants remain open and we continue to follow the expert guidance of health authorities to ensure we’re taking precautionary steps to serve people in a safe manner. 

Ensuring our employees are healthy and feel good about working in a safe and clean environment is always of the utmost importance. At the same time, it’s critical for customers to feel confident about visiting their local McDonald’s, so we are partnering with our independent franchisees to take additional steps to ensure restaurant employees are feeling their best at the beginning of each shift.

When an employee clocks in to start their shift, we are implementing a series of questions, including:

• Are they are showing symptoms associated with COVID-19?
• Have they been diagnosed with COVID-19?
• Have they had close contact in the past 14 days with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19?
• Have they been told by a health care provider or public health official they should self-quarantine due to potential COVID-19 exposure, or are they suspected of having COVID-19?

Employees who answer “no” to all questions will begin their shift like they normally would. If an employee answers “yes” to any question, they are sent home by their manager and won’t return to work until they’ve received authorization from a medical professional.

“Implementing these extra precautionary measures is another way employees can feel good about where they work, and customers can trust their favorite McDonald’s menu items are being prepared by healthy crew members. This is one of the many ways McDonald’s is doing its part to help stop the spread of COVID-19 at this critical time,” said Joe Erlinger, President of McDonald’s USA.

Employees at our company-owned restaurants who are impacted by the virus are receiving two weeks paid leave to tend to their critical health needs. In addition, employees at a large percentage of franchised restaurants will receive emergency paid leave through the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. 

Additionally, we’ve taken further precautions to protect our customers and employees from COVID-19:

• Closing many of our dine-in sections
• Closing all play areas
• Adopting social distancing guidelines
• Increasing cleanings, particularly in high-traffic areas
• Making hand sanitizer available in our restaurants

“The health and safety of our restaurant employees is a top priority for franchisees across the McDonald’s System,” said Mark Salebra, National Franchisee Leadership Alliance Chair. “At the same time, I think restaurant employees across the country are taking great pride in serving our communities. Whether it’s preparing a hot meal for a health care worker or providing a sense of comfort for families with a Happy Meal, our people have stepped up tremendously during this time.”

We’re all in this together. We’re taking these added precautions to help take care of our McFamily so we can continue to help you take care of yours.