The Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic to the Retrenched Employees of Mcdonald’s West Avenue Branch in Quezon City: Towards Recovery

Vol.3, No.1B

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic began in early 2020 and has been challenging for everyone. The contagious disease has put many industries on hold, including the food and beverage industry, which includes fast-food chains. The health crisis forced the workforce to lose its function, eventually leading to a reduction. With this existing condition, the researchers studied the retrenched employees who encountered challenges during this crisis and determined how resilient Filipinos are.

This study utilized the descriptive method design to investigate and collect information about the effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the retrenched employees of McDonald's. The researchers gathered data using a survey questionnaire administered via Google Forms to fifty (50) target respondents at McDonald's West Avenue branch in Quezon City.

The survey results show that most respondents are 18 to 22 years old, mostly female, and belong to the lower class with a monthly income of Php 10,000 and below. 90% of the total population answered that they are single. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on the employment rate in the Philippine setting. Different businesses experienced major losses. This study focuses on the food and beverage industry, especially the fast-food chain McDonald's. Many employees doing their best had to experience retrenchment due to their company's losses. On the other hand, respondents faced major problems brought by the pandemic that led to retrenchment. The most effective recovery strategy to cope with the damages is opening a small business street food in their community, with a weighted mean of 4.60, followed by a referral of a job opportunity from a friend, with a weighted mean of 4.48.

Based on the gathered data and conclusions drawn, the researchers formulated guidelines to improve the recovery strategies of the respondents through their tolerance. Guidelines include finding another job, and employees must know how to manage their recovery strategies and how resilient they are. These guidelines will provide critical factors in commitment to the employees' success amidst the health-concern crisis.