I might loose my job at McDonald's because I was told I'm not fast enough!?Please read details!?

Question

It's my first job ever and I'm 16. The McDonald's is in a mall. I try my best to be fast but it takes me time to get everything accurately and there's always a big lineup in my line. My manager said they're not trying to compare me with another girl who is new like me but he did. He kept comparing me. She's like perfect, she does make mistakes but not as much as me. During our training, she kept asking soooo much questions that I never even got a chance to ask my questions. As soon as I wanted to speak up, she kept intrupting with her questions. I know I give that as an excuse to my manager. I dont want to loose this job because it's my first job ever and so I wont be able to get a reference for my other job cuz they'll say bad stuff about me. What do you think I can do to speed up but yet be accurate and keep my cool under stress? I dont really care if I loose this job, but that doesn't mean i will stop trying and not improve, I just feel I'm not ready for this kind of thing...

CORRECTION: I KNOW I CAN'T GIVE THAT AS AN EXCUSE TO MY MANAGER

they are giving me one more week for me to improve and i want to get it right but i dont know what to do to remember to be fast and i dont know how to be fast! do i have to like practically RUN in the middle of other employees when i'm getting the order??

PLEASE NO JOKES OR UNRELATED THINGS

Answer 1

Don't worry.
It's OK for people no to fit within a job. Being out of McDonalds because you're "not fast" is no bad. On the contrary, it speaks VERY WELL of you to be working at 16 and trying to earn a living by yourself. you will SURELY outstand over your peers.
I'm almost 50. I hire a lot of youg people. Speed is not "it". Was is, is HONESTY. Honesty of not taking what isn't yours, of course, but honesty also of telling the truth TO YOURSELF. Honesty of knowing you know and what you don't know, and the HUMILITY to ask. Honesty of recognising when you have done a mistake, an HUMILITY to seek help.
That's the only way to be better everyday.
Socrates said it long time ago. "I only know that I know nothing"
Relax. Just relax.
The moment you realize that life doesn't spin around a Mcdonald job, you'll be far less pressed to achieve velocity.
Then you'll concentrate more. then you'll be doing your best.
If how don't know how to do something, go ask your manager.
If, down the road, you see that your manager doesnt' support you, seek another job elsewhere.
Best Regards and good luck.
PS it would be nice to know, a couple of weeks from now, how all has gone.

Answer 2

I can help you with this one... I started out working at wendy's and ended up working for them for 3 years... I later on became a shift manager at another place.. and then an assistant manager for a full restuarant... so...It does sound like you care to keep the job.. so you care to loose it too.. I know contradictory right?... Well each employer is different. I had one that like it when I was completely quiet and paid attention to all the detail and never left anything out of place after my shift.... then I had another that was like... " If i'm standing around, i'm not helping.. if i'm helping i'm in the way" Couldn't win for loosing with that one... But keep in mind that jobs do come and go. Then I met someone that did keep his job all the way from when he first started working there to management a couple of years later... He's the youngest manager and good one too that I've ever seen....Ask to see if you can watch a training video again on the areas that you need to work on. I know they do that sort of thing.. every fast food place does... another one is to try and do this before you come to work.. show up early and give yourself a half an hour to watch one. If they ask you why... tell them you want to make sure you didn't miss anything and you may be interested in growing with the company into managment...Sometimes the goal itself can stand out more than the actual job performance at first...Don't run people over... just concentrate on being accurate and clear your mind of personal matters or what others think about you. It's also a misconception that your there to make a new friend or to socialize when in reality you are there to earn some money. Choke this up if you have to... be friendly to customers and don't worry about this other girl or the fact that the management is comparing you... Sounds like they need to compare themselves to their own opinions...But also... just keep in mind if you feel that a poor decision is made.. everyone has a boss.. including bosses... Just focus.. your a smart person.. Hope this helps.. take care.

Answer 3

I don't mean to make you feel bad but maybe this is not the right job for you sweetie. You are doing a good job (getting the orders right) and in your mind you are moving quickly. I have the same problem. It seems like when I try to go quicker I only go slower. Try to find a job where your pace wont be as much of an issue. Try getting a job in one of the clothing stores. I worked at Sears in the children's department when I was in high school. Don't let all of this bother you to much but also don't convince yourself that you can do this type of job. I work in a distribution center. I put stuff away all night. We open the cartons, take clothes out of plastic and off of hangers and put them neatly in bins. We are supposed to average 22 cartons an hour. I get between 18-24. There are people slower than me. There are also a few much faster. For the most part the people who are faster leave the plastic and hangers on the items and just toss them in the bins. My feeling is you can get it fast or you can get it right. I can not do both. I wish I could but I cant. I hope you can find a job that is the right fit for you.

Answer 4

Based on your question, it sounds like you have already tried to be better and faster at your job, but you just aren't motivated by the job. I would quit with 2 weeks notice if I were you, since it will look better when you look for another job. You definitely will not want to get fired from McDonalds, employers will not look at that in a positive way. I would not worry about finding another job, since you already have work experience, which is good for your age. You might want to try a grocery store next, since they generally aren't as fast paced as fast food is, and you will already have work experience.

Answer 5

One of my first jobs was at a Wendy's. People who think fast food workers don't work hard are WRONG! It's a tough, thankless job. You need to learn how to multi-task. I have a feeling that you're a perfectionist. Don't stress so much about little things, like getting the lettuce centered just so, or how many pickles go on a burger. The key here is speed, speed, speed. Customer always comes first. Learn to move yourself and your hands faster. Ask your supervisor for advice and constructive criticism about what you can do to be a better worker. Don't give up.

Answer 6

You need to find out what is causing you to be so slow. Is there something you still dont understand? Ask for advice from your boss, tell them you want to work there and need his/her help to improve your performance issues. A good manager will take the time to assist you with these issues. Make sure when they talk to you that they get specific. If they say your are not fast enough. Ask what do they see slowing you down. Are you having issues running the register? Understanding the product, the procedures.
Dont be defensive, use this as a learning experience. Find out how you can improve and then do it!

Good luck.

Answer 7

Actually, they're not allowed to say bad stuff about you to your next employer, if your next employer even calls (most don't, especially if you're young). Because of the way our legal system works, they're not really allowed to say anything other than that you did work there.
Don't be afraid to leave for a new job (start putting in applications Now.) and don't be afraid to give your next employer an honest answer about your job - you're leaving because after making an honest effort, you found that you were not a good fit for the job. No one will fault you.
Try a different job - maybe food service isn't for you. Does your town have a park service? They're often looking for camp councilors this time of year.

Answer 8

If it's your first ever job and you're 16 then I wouldn't worry about getting a reference from them, you don't need to tell any prospective employers that you've done any work before.

If it's too fast in there for you then you might be better off just finding another job where things aren't quite so 'fast-food'. Pizza places are good as it takes a while for them to cook, you can't speed it up.

Don't stress over it, just find something you're more suited to.

Answer 9

Practice makes perfect. Don't beat yourself up over this situation..don't be afraid to ask for help, either. You may want to ask your boss if you could have someone pack your orders as you ring OR ask if YOU could pack orders while someone else rings until you get the hang of things. If you're not afraid to let your boss know when you need help, they will see that you're TRYING to better yourself. Good luck.

Answer 10

apply at Subway,or just look around at the other restaraunts in the Food Court that are slower and try applying there at a job that isnt so demanding...maybe the Sukuro's could hire you to stand in the food court and offer samples....maybe you should apply at the Verizon kiosk to sell wireless services,I am sure you would earn more money....there are alot of jobs out there other than McD's...