The war changed the lives of millions of Ukrainian families, and many teenagers are faced with the responsibility for the family’s financial survival. Many families live in hardship: parents have lost their jobs, are at the front or are unable to fully provide for their children. In such conditions, the issue of temporary youth employment appears as a necessity. And right now, one of the largest employers in the field of public catering – the McDonald’s restaurant chain – is opening the possibility of legal employment for teenagers aged 16 and over.
Start of the program: employment of young people
From June 23, 2025, an official program for employment of young people aged 16 and older will be launched in Ukrainian McDonald’s restaurants. This move is seen as a response to the request of teenagers who are looking for an opportunity to financially support themselves and their family, and also want to gain their first practical experience. About this reported in the company
It is emphasized that all conditions of youth employment comply with the labor legislation of Ukraine. The work of minors is allowed only with clear restrictions on the duration of the shift and the amount of workload. For students studying during the year, a maximum of 18 hours of work per week is set. During the summer holidays or for those who are not in training, they are allowed to work up to 36 hours per week. Working hours are allowed only from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. — in accordance with labor protection regulations for persons under 18 years of age.
What teenagers can expect from working at McDonald’s
This program is focused not only on the payment of wages for hours worked, but also on development. The company declares its intention to invest in the training of young employees: adaptive training, support from experienced colleagues, and gradual involvement in teamwork are provided. All this creates conditions in which the teenager not only performs simple functional tasks, but also learns discipline, interaction, responsibility – skills that are important in adult life.
In addition, young people are offered a flexible schedule that allows them to combine work with studies or other activities, especially during the holidays. Employment in a large international company also opens up prospects for those who plan to work in the field of service, management or even HR in the future.
In peacetime, a teenager’s first job is often seen as part of personal development. In the conditions of war, it acquires a different meaning. Many teenagers have destroyed their daily plans, lack a sense of stability, some of them have lost their parents or found themselves in dangerous conditions. For some families, this is critically important budget support. Work allows young people to feel in control of their own reality, take some of the burden off their parents or guardians, while learning to navigate a structured environment that provides clear rules, regular pay, and understanding of boundaries.
It is also important that employment is not spontaneous – the company assumes responsibility for compliance with all legal regulations, workload distribution, length of working day and accompanying the employee in the adaptation process.
Perspective and limitations
However, the effect of this initiative should not be overestimated, it does not solve the economic problems of the country or individual families, but it is a real opportunity for teenagers to get their first money without resorting to unofficial or dangerous forms of employment. Employment provides not only a salary, but also experience that will be useful in the future. Many managers at the chain began their careers working in the kitchen or in the hall, and the company indicates that 15% of restaurant directors have taken this position before the age of 25.
The opportunity to officially work from the age of 16 under clearly defined conditions is an important socialization and support tool for Ukrainian teenagers during the war. For many, this is a chance to help the family, buy things on their own, pay for courses or save for the future. Companies that create such programs take responsibility for concrete steps in supporting the younger generation, which is forced to grow up earlier than it should.
