McDonald’s U.S. offices temporarily close to prepare for difficult mass layoffs, signs of struggling America

The U.S. offices of one of America’s most iconic restaurant chains will be temporarily closed this week, as the company prepares to issue corporate layoff notices in the midst of a slowing economy.

In an internal email last week to its U.S. employees — and some working abroad — McDonald’s Corp. said staffers should work from home from Monday through Wednesday so it can deliver staffing decisions virtually. In-person meetings with vendors and others scheduled at the headquarters were to be canceled, the email directed, according to The Wall Street Journal.

“During the week of April 3, we will communicate key decisions related to roles and staffing levels across the organization,” the message read.

How many employees will be laid off is unclear. McDonald’s declined to comment, WSJ reports.

The company signaled in January that it would be making “difficult” decisions by April with respect to its corporate staffing levels, “as part of a broader strategic plan” for the Golden Arches.

While Chief Executive Chris Kempczinski indicated at the time that the workforce assessment would save the company money, he said he had no specific dollar amount and didn’t know how many jobs he would cut.

“Some jobs that are existing today are either going to get moved or those jobs may go away,” he said, according to the paper.

In the message to employees, McDonald’s said there would be a lot of personal travel the week of April 3, which is why it decided to notify staffers virtually. If they wouldn’t have computer access during that week, the email said, workers should give their managers their personal contact information.

“We want to ensure the comfort and confidentiality of our people during the notification period,” the message said.

In the face of a struggling economy, McDonald’s is just one of many major companies that are experiencing layoffs.

As BizPac Review reported, last month, Disney CEO Bob Iger announced that the media giant will be laying off 7,000 employees and restructuring how things are done at the Happiest Place on Earth.


In January, Spotify, a popular audio streaming platform, slashed 6% of its staff.

The cuts came less than a week after Microsoft and Google parent Alphabet both laid off more than 10,000 employees each.

And, the Wall Street Journal notes, last month Amazon.com Inc. announced it would be eliminating another 9,000 jobs in a second wave of layoffs.

Online, people see the McDonald’s layoffs as a definite sign that America is in trouble.

“McDonalds layoffs are Signal,” one Twitter user stated. “Recession is coming.”

“Even McDonalds is closing corporate offices to announce layoffs throughout the corporation,” tweeted another. “When McDonalds is struggling, a symbol that America is struggling.”

“What has [President Joe Biden] not ruined undoing everything Trump established,” the user asked. “We are not winning folks. You mocked MAGA, welcome to LOSER.”

Melissa Fine

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