Since launching McPassport, Vroonen says both employees and operators have been excited about the program. The first McPassport holders are currently working in the United Kingdom, Spain, and Italy.

On the surface, it stands to reason a similar program would work well in the United States with employees taking advantage of job opportunities in other states.

“We have shared our McPassport program with other areas of the world; there was recognition that the McPassport offers a lot of opportunities to our employees,” says Vroonen. But Tara McLaren, a spokesperson for McDonald’s in the United States, says there are no plans to implement the program at this time.

Still, it’s interesting to ponder how differently one worldwide brand handles the same problem. There’s no doubt culture and societal elements play a large role in both attracting and retaining employees. It all boils down to knowing who your workers are and what motivates them.

It’s possible the McPassport program would be as effective in America. U.S. workers might not find it as alluring to travel to other states in the same way European workers want to visit other countries when they’re young. After all, working in Indiana and Kentucky would probably be similar, but the same is not true of an overseas employee who moves from the United Kingdom to Italy to work.

McDonald’s employees and operators aren’t the only ones embracing the McPassport program. The European Commission is happy about it too because the program helps promote one of its initiatives as well: worker mobility.

“There is very little mobility culture amongst most of the European workforce,” says Vladimir Spidla, European commissioner for employment, social affairs, and equal opportunities. “The European Union and Member States have a vital role to sensitize all citizens to the rights of workers to circulate freely within the EU. The support from leading companies such as McDonald’s is crucial to the development of a long-term mobility culture.” Currently only 2 percent of Europeans live and work in an EU country other than their country of origin. The aim of the European Year of Workers’ Mobility program has been to create awareness among European citizens regarding their job mobility rights.

Denis Hennequin, president of McDonald’s Europe, hopes the McPassport program will change the way people think of McDonald’s—especially when it comes to job opportunity.

“The McPassport will be a key element of our continuing effort to improve our standards as an employer,” Hennequin says. “We believe the McPassport will strengthen our reputation by providing the type of innovative and long-term development opportunities that young people are increasingly looking for.”

“The McPassport is a physical document that certifies crew competencies and thus enables a holder to be eligible for a McDonald’s job in the 25 countries of the European Union.”