As anyone in the restaurant business knows, employee retention is a constant struggle. It’s hard enough finding someone reliable and capable, but when you do, how do you entice him/her to stay?

Employees leave for a variety of reasons, of course, but one of the most common is that they want a different environment and they don’t think they can have that without changing jobs.

McDonald’s Europe decided to do something about this perception. In September 2006, it launched its McPassport program, an official certification program designed to support the movement of restaurant employees throughout the European Union.

“The McPassport is a physical document, resembling a real passport, that certifies crew competencies and thus enables a McPassport holder to be eligible for a McDonald’s job in the 25 countries of the European Union,” says Carmen Vroonen, spokesperson for McDonald’s Europe.

To earn McPassport certification, employees must be trained and earn a “good” rating or above in the following stations: service, dining area, hospitality, production, fried products, grills, buns, and dressing. No minimum seniority is required to apply for certification.

McDonald’s Europe hopes the McPassport program will appeal to its employees and that they will see it as a tool to help them with long-term goals.

“Many of our employees have a desire to travel at various points in their lives,” explains Vroonen, “some before going on to full time study after school, some between university and embarking on their career, and some just to satisfy a travel bug. McDonald’s operations are consistent throughout the world, and we have an opportunity to assist people to find work when they have taken the decision to move away from home.”

If an employee decides to leave one McDonald’s restaurant, that particular operator must look for another employee, but at least the chain itself isn’t losing a reliable employee. So, one restaurant’s loss is another restaurant’s gain. And all the time—and money—spent training that employee is not lost since the new employer can take advantage of it. That means a fatter bottom line, and perhaps even more important, less stress for managers and operators.

“Our restaurant managers are always looking for motivated people with the right skills to serve our customers,” says Vroonen. “The McPassport holders have received all the training they need, and they have experience working in a McDonald’s restaurant.

Employees come out ahead too because the chain actually provides the mode to help them find openings. McPassport holders can visit www.yourtalentmcd.com to search vacancies in other countries. If interested, they are invited to move through the website; since they’re McPassport holders, they will be considered for the position.