Alex O'Brien
Retirement Life

79-year-old works at McDonalds and loves it

For many young Australians, working at McDonalds is a rite of passage. For these seniors, it’s a great way to make some extra cash and keep active into their 70s.

Graham Berndt, 79, is proving that age is an asset when it comes to re-entering the workforce. Five years ago, he swapped retirement for a McDonald’s uniform, working at the Arana Hills restaurant in Brisbane.

Talking to the Courier Mail, Berndt says his responsibilities as host include greeting customers and clearing tables. “I enjoy coming into work. My wife drops me off and goes shopping and then she picks me up a couple of hours later,” he said.

Though he concedes his younger co-workers are perhaps a little faster than him, he gets along very well with them and has even encouraged three of his grandchildren to take up work at the restaurant.

A spokesperson from McDonald’s wants more seniors to get back out there and show the young ones how it’s done. “Our older workers are a huge asset to our business and provide invaluable experience.”

Image: Courier Mail

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Tags:
retirement, jobs, money, McDonalds