The number of hours a McDonald’s employee works varies significantly, depending on the restaurant’s location, the employee’s role, and current labor demand. A crew member’s weekly schedule is often a mosaic of short and long shifts, making the total hours difficult to predict. The weekly commitment can range from minimal part-time hours to a full-time schedule, shaped by company policy and labor laws.
Understanding Part-Time and Full-Time Status
The distinction between part-time and full-time status is defined by the number of hours an employee is scheduled to work each week. While the US standard for full-time employment is generally 30 hours or more per week, McDonald’s may use a different internal threshold. Some locations classify full-time work as 21 to 40 hours per week, with part-time status covering up to 20 hours.
This internal definition is relevant for employee benefits, often using the 30-hour threshold established by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Part-time employees are hired for scheduling flexibility and generally have no guaranteed minimum weekly hours. Full-time employees are scheduled to meet the higher hourly requirement, though their actual hours may fluctuate based on business needs.
Typical Shift Lengths and Scheduling Structure
The daily schedule is built around the restaurant’s peak traffic times, resulting in specialized and standard shifts. Short shifts, often lasting three to four hours, are scheduled to cover the morning, lunch, or dinner rush. These shorter durations maximize staffing during high-volume periods, such as the midday rush between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Standard shifts often run for six to eight hours, covering a full morning, afternoon, or evening period, sometimes extending up to ten hours. Employees are entitled to breaks governed by federal and state laws. Rest breaks lasting 20 minutes or less must be paid time. Meal breaks, typically 30 minutes or longer, are generally unpaid if the employee is fully relieved of all work duties.
Key Factors Affecting Weekly Hours
An employee’s total weekly hours are influenced by several operational factors unique to the fast-food environment. Store volume is a major determinant; high-traffic locations require more staff and offer more hours than quieter suburban outlets. Seasonality also causes hours to fluctuate, with summer months often requiring increased staffing to meet higher demand.
Employee availability is a powerful factor, as managers prioritize scheduling those open to working non-traditional or peak-demand hours. Ownership structure also plays a role, since McDonald’s franchises, which make up the vast majority of locations, set their own staffing budgets and policies. This means an employee’s hours can be adjusted weekly based on the manager’s forecast of labor demand.
Strict Labor Laws for Minor Employees
Work hours for employees under the age of 18 are strictly regulated by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and state laws.
Restrictions for 14- and 15-Year-Olds
The most restrictive rules apply to 14- and 15-year-olds, who are limited to working outside of school hours. During the school week, these young workers cannot be scheduled for more than three hours on a school day, with a weekly maximum of 18 hours. They are also prohibited from working before 7:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m., though this evening limit is extended to 9:00 p.m. during the summer period (June 1 through Labor Day).
Restrictions for 16- and 17-Year-Olds
For 16- and 17-year-olds, federal law is significantly less restrictive, allowing them to work unlimited hours in any non-hazardous job. However, state-specific laws often impose additional limits on the daily and weekly hours for this age group, particularly on nights preceding a school day.
Overtime and Maximum Hours for Adult Workers
Adult employees (aged 18 and older) are not subject to the same time-of-day or daily hour restrictions as minors. Their compensation structure is governed by federal and state overtime regulations. Under the FLSA, employers must pay time-and-a-half for all hours worked over 40 in a single workweek.
There is generally no federal law setting an absolute maximum number of hours an adult can be required to work. However, some state laws mandate daily overtime, requiring time-and-a-half pay for hours worked beyond eight in a single day. These state rules influence scheduling decisions by raising the cost of labor beyond certain daily thresholds.