Молодежь в возрасте 16-17 лет составляет 15% сотрудников McDonald's в Украине

In Ukraine, young employees aged 16-17 make up 15% of McDonald's workforce, with some restaurants having a higher percentage of non-minor employees, reaching up to 40%. This figure was disclosed by McDonald's Ukraine's Director of Corporate Influence, Nazar Bediy. After introducing the opportunity to hire at 16 years old, the company received over 12,000 applications, and currently, 16-17-year-olds make up around 15% of the workforce.

Bediy highlighted that having young employees, such as restaurant directors aged 22-25 who started in entry-level positions, inspires others and demonstrates a clear career trajectory. The company launched its official hiring program for 16-year-olds on June 23, 2025, and is working with the government to improve labor law, including provisions for hiring minors.

Bediy emphasized the importance of protecting minors while seeking modern and flexible mechanisms that allow young people to gain skills and advance faster. He also noted that the company complies with European legislation allowing children as young as 14 to work under certain conditions, such as vocational training, internships, or light work.

Bediy stated that employees aged 50+ make up about 540 people, while 15% of McDonald's workforce, or over 1,800 employees, are minors. The remaining employees are primarily aged 18-25, accounting for 51% of the workforce. There is also a significant number of employees aged 26-50, comprising nearly 3,750 people, or 30% of the team.

Additionally, the company employs around 500 people with disabilities who have equal opportunities for development. Bediy mentioned that 450 employees are mobilized and continue to receive salaries, with a total of approximately 132 million hryvnias paid in 2025. The company also employs 27 veterans, many of whom returned after serving, and a few who joined after returning from the army.

Bediy emphasized the company's efforts to support veterans, offering alternative roles such as administrative functions in restaurants or positions in other departments. He stated that the decision to find alternative roles depends on the individual's willingness. However, the company is committed to finding solutions for all employees.