Aussie senior is ‘lovin’ it’ as of one of McDonald’s oldest employees

Newcastle local Daryl Holmes has made headlines after he decided to return to work at his local McDonald’s, becoming a beloved figure among the staff and customers alike in the process.

Holmes didn’t last long before starting his job hunt again after retiring from the disability sector, lasting only a day before feeling the urge to jump back into the workforce.

“I have to keep busy, I can’t just sit and do nothing … if I can work another eight years now until I’m 80, that’s fine with me,” he told 9News.

At the Wallsend restaurant, he has become a familiar and cherished figure, a local legend in his own right, due to his longevity as one of McDonald’s most senior employees.

“I used to joke, if I put all their ages together I’ve got all of them by two years,” he said.

McLOVIN IT! Meet Daryl Holmes – the 72-year-old who tried retirement and couldn’t get back into work fast enough… Now one of @maccas oldest employees! Don’t miss his story on @nbnnews tonight. ???? pic.twitter.com/5DKEtVMvj0

— Claudia Vrdoljak (@VrdoljakClaudia) April 20, 2023

As a customer experience leader, his responsibilities go beyond the standard duties of greeting customers and assisting them with self-serve kiosks. He also goes the extra mile by delivering food to their tables.

“When people first started to walk in, they’d jump sideways ’cause you said, ‘Hello,'” he said.

His exemplary work has led to the creation of a new dining system that has been so successful that other McDonald’s franchises are now adopting it.

“Usually it’d just be sit down, don’t get much, probably no communication from staff,” Wallsend McDondald’s operations consultant Cruise Monaghan said.

“Now Daryl comes in, makes sure everything is fine, checks on you, asks how your day has been – they love him.

“We get a lot of reviews based on Daryl’s performance.”

Holmes might not be the only retiree rejoining the workforce after it was announced that the Queensland Police Service (QPS) has launched a new recruitment campaign aimed at retirees, with the goal of strengthening the police force and enhancing public safety.

The QPS will establish a pool of special constables as a relief workforce to support frontline officers when needed.

The proposed amendments to the Police Service Administration Act 1990 will expand the concept of special constable to offer employment opportunities to experienced former officers on a casual basis.

This will allow suitable retirees to be re-engaged as special constables after retiring at age 60.

The addition of special constables is expected to enhance the QPS’ policing capacity, especially during high-demand periods, guaranteeing the presence of police officers on the frontlines when required to meet service delivery needs.