McDonald’s cans employee website following criticism

AP FILE PHOTO

NEW YORK – McDonald’s has pulled the plug on an employee website after it was mocked by critics of the fast-food giant’s salary practices, a spokeswoman confirmed Friday.

Dubbed “McResource” and managed by a subcontractor, the site aimed to give employees tips on managing stress and other daily challenges.

“A combination of factors has led us to re-evaluate, and we’ve directed the vendor to take down the website,” said McDonald’s spokeswoman Lisa McComb in an email.

The site was targeted by the advocacy group “Low Pay is Not OK,” which has organized fast-food worker strikes to pressure big restaurant chains to increase wages.

A video widely viewed on Youtube satirized the site with a character dressed as its Ronald McDonald mascot who cheerfully urges workers to “pack your bags” for two vacations a year and to “quit complaining” to cut stress.

“Breaking food into pieces often results in eating less and still feeling full,” the site said.

The mock-video concludes by urging viewers to take action: “It’s time to pay people enough to survive.”

McComb said the video took recommendations out of context, resulting in “unwarranted scrutiny and inappropriate commentary.”

McDonald’s plans to continue to provide services to team members through an internal telephone help line, McComb said.