McDonald’s worker claims he was denied paid breaks on 650 SHIFTS sues the fast-food giant for thousands of dollars – and it could bring major changes for every hospo employee
- McDonald’s employee says he was denied a break on more than 650 shifts
- Matthew North, 26, worked at Murray Bridge restaurant in South Australia
- Mr North claims he was denied 10-minute breaks that he was legally obliged to
- Union has filed class action lawsuit against franchisee demanding compensation
An employee at a McDonald’s restaurant claims he was denied a break on more than 650 shifts as he sues the fast food giant for thousands of dollars.
Matthew North, 26, says he was ‘screwed over’ for years while working at the Murray Bridge restaurant in South Australia after he was repeatedly denied a contractual 10-minute break every employee is entitled to on shift every four hours.
A class action suit has been launched against franchisee Delbridge Investments Pty Ltd alleging 55 current and former crew members were denied paid breaks between March 2015 and October 2020.
Employees were supposed to be entitled to a 10-minute paid drink break during shifts that were longer than four hours, but Mr North claims supervisors told him that casual trips to the toilet and sips of drinks ‘added up’ to that time.
Matthew North says he was denied a break on more than 650 shifts while working at the Murray Bridge McDonald’s (pictured) in South Australia
‘At the end of the day, compensation is great but it’s not just that,’ Mr North told The Advertiser.
‘I have kids of my own and just knowing that could have been them in that situation makes me really mad.’
The young father, who has been working at the Murray Bridge McDonald’s since 2011, says employees are entitled to a 10-minute paid break on four-hour shifts, with another 10-minute paid break on shifts over nine hours.
Mr North claims he was denied taking a break by superiors because employees were allowed to go to the toilet or get a drink at any time which would add up to their allotted 10 minutes.
‘When I became a manager, I was told (this) is what I had to tell new workers too,’ he told The Advertiser.
‘When you work nine hour shifts, not getting a break is so rough.’
Mr North claims he was denied taking a break by superiors because employees were allowed to go to the toilet or get a drink at any time which would add up to their allotted 10 minutes
The SDA’s statement of claim alleges 55 current and former employees from McDonald’s restaurants in Murray Bridge, Rundle Mall, Trinity Gardens and Kings Park were regularly denied their break.
Delbridge Investments owned the four franchises, but have recently ‘made the decision to leave the McDonald’s system.’
‘McDonald’s is the first job for many teenagers across Australia,’ the SDA Union said in a statement.
‘These workers are expected to work in these hot, fast paced environments and must get their breaks.’
They are seeking thousands in compensation, but Mr North says he is more motivated to see the entire hospitality system radically changed to prevent further abuse.
‘All I want is for it to not happen to the younger generation, because we got screwed over and I just want it to not happen anymore.’
In a statement to Daily Mail Australia, McDonald’s confirmed they’ve taken over the running of the restaurants ‘for a period of time’.
‘The change in ownership is not related to the recent filing by the SDA in the Federal Court,’ they said.
‘As the matter is to go before the Court, it would be inappropriate to respond to the specific allegations at this time.
‘We continue to work closely with our restaurants to ensure employees receive all correct workplace entitlements and pay.’
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