Calculator Research
In late 2013, McResources, McDonald’s employee website, posted curious advice to its hourly workers: it suggested the appropriate amount to tip their au pairs, pool boys, and personal trainers.
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34 Calculator Research In late 2013, McResources, McDonald’s employee website, posted curious advice1 to its hourly workers: it suggested the appropriate amount to tip their au pairs, pool boys, and personal trainers. For context, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports food preparers, such as McDonald’s employees, earn a median pay of $10.93 per hour2 (see Figure 34-1); childcare workers (au pairs), $10.72;3 grounds maintenance workers (pool boys), $13.51;4 and fitness (personal) trainers, $18.85.5
Calabrese, Erin, and Josh Saul. “That’s Rich! McDonald’s Tells Workers What to Tip Au Pairs.” New York Post. December 07, 2013. Accessed June 09, 2018. https://nypost. com/2013/12/07/rich-with-irony-mcdonalds-gives-workers-advice-ontipping-pool-boys-au-pairs/. 2 “Summary.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Accessed June 4, 2018. https://www.bls. gov/ooh/food-preparation-and-serving/food-preparation-workers.htm. 3 “Summary.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Accessed June 4, 2018. https://www.bls. gov/ooh/personal-care-and-service/childcare-workers.htm. 4 “Summary.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Accessed June 4, 2018. https://www.bls. gov/ooh/building-and-grounds-cleaning/grounds-maintenance-workers.htm. 5 “Summary.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Accessed June 4, 2018. https://www.bls. gov/ooh/personal-care-and-service/fitness-trainers-and-instructors.htm. 1
© Edward Stull 2018 E. Stull, UX Fundamentals for Non-UX Professionals, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4842-3811-0_34
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Chapter 34 | Calculator Research
Figure 34-1. Bureau of Labor Statistics website showing median pay of food preparation workers6
A full-time, $10.93-per-hour McDonald’s worker would earn approximately $22,730 per year (2,080 hours). Assuming this worker hired an au pair to cover her full-time schedule, she would spend $22,290 per year on childcare alone. If the McDonald’s worker had her pool cleaned for an hour once a week, she might expect to pay a meager $702.52. Assuming she can make it to the gym, too, she would pay an additional $980.20 for her personal trainer.This leaves the McDonald’s worker $1,242.72 in debt annually before taxes, before all other living expenses—and before tipping. Not a lot of Happy Meals.
“Food Preparation Workers.” Digital image. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Accessed June 7, 2018. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/food-preparation-and-serving/foodpreparation-workers.htm.
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UX Fundamentals for Non-UX Professionals Clearly, McDonald’s hourly workers do not hire many au pairs, pool boys, and personal trainers. The press pilloried the company for its tone-deafness to the economic challenges of its employees. The mistake was regrettable and avoidable. Quantitative research does not always demand an extensive research study. Sometimes, it simply requires a calculator.
Key Takeaways ·· Calculate known values to assess the plausibility of quantitative research data.
Questions to Ask Yourself ·· Does a numerically based claim sound reasonable? ·· What is the average age and income of a population?
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