Day 213 - 31 01 96 - Page 63

 
 

                                                                  DAY 213
 
                                            SEMIR KHAZNA, Cross-examined:
 
 
 
     1        breaks, they do not mind that?
     2        A.  This is given to them on their first day.  They know
     3        what they are starting on.  They know what the perks and
     4        benefits are.  So quite a percentage of our staff are
     5        students and they do not even pay tax, so, you know, it is
     6        a good living for a student, I would say.
     7
     8   Q.   So how come you go through so many staff over the years,
     9        hundreds of thousands;  why do they not all want to come
    10        back and carrying on working there for decades?
    11        A.  Some do come back seasonally.  Some go on to further
    12        their education at college or university.  You know, it is
    13        their own personal choice.  They want to make a career
    14        move.
    15
    16   Q.   Two-thirds of your staff are under 21; why is it that older
    17        people do not seem to want to work in your stores?
    18        A.  Well, from my experience, in my stores I do have older
    19        people working.
    20
    21   Q.   Yes, but, in general, it is under 21s that work in your
    22        stores, is it not?  We have heard the figures (and it is
    23        accepted), national figures, something like 66 per cent of
    24        all employees are under 21.  Is it not something that has
    25        worried you as a Supervisor in charge of many stores ---
    26        A.  No.
    27
    28   Q.  -- that you are not keeping people?
    29        A.  I started with McDonald's before I was 21 and ----
    30
    31   Q.   We know there are always individuals and exceptions and,
    32        you know, categories or whatever, but the general thing is
    33        that people who work at McDonald's are under 21, the
    34        two-thirds.
    35
    36   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Is it really worth asking?  It is up to
    37        you  ---
    38
    39   MR. MORRIS:  I am intrigued ------
    40
    41   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  -- because I am not going to stop you, but
    42        I have been listening to that kind of question and answers
    43        since Easter of last year.
    44
    45   MR. MORRIS:  He is the last person we can possibly ask.
    46
    47   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Right, if it is the last question, I will not
    48        make a note, I will try to remember that.
    49
    50   MR. MORRIS (To the witness): So, what is the reason that 
    51        two-thirds of your workers are under 21? 
    52        A.  It varies.  Crew talk to each other.  They ask their 
    53        relatives or their friends if they want to work there.  It
    54        is an environment that they enjoy working in.  They get to
    55        socialise and meet people of their own age in their
    56        restaurant.  I think it just, like, brings you into the
    57        working environment, as you may say.  You know, it just
    58        opens a person up a bit.
    59
    60   Q.   Then as soon as you get a bit older, "That is it, it is not
 
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