Head office employees joined expert-led sessions on mental wellbeing and self-leadership with Evolve Wellness and breast cancer awareness with Al Aziziya Medical Center.
This October, McDonald’s Qatar put its people in focus, bringing breast cancer awareness and mental health together through a dedicated Wellness Staff Day for its employees from its head office. The initiative gave employees access to expert guidance and practical support, reinforcing McDonald’s Qatar’s focus on creating a workplace where wellbeing is part of the everyday employee experience.
Delivered in collaboration with Al Aziziya Medical Center and Evolve Wellness, the day featured two workshops designed to support employees’ physical and mental wellbeing. The first workshop, delivered by specialists from Al Aziziya Medical Center, covered breast cancer awareness with Dr. Laila Ghaleb, Obstetrician & Gynecologist, as well as a discussion on nutrition and making informed food choices with Dr. Mohamed Emad, General Practitioner. The second workshop, an interactive session titled ‘Unleash the Leader Within’, was led by Shefa, Life Coach, from Evolve Wellness and explored building confidence, managing stress, self-awareness and developing positive mindset and habits.
Bringing these conversations into the workplace reflects McDonald’s Qatar’s broader approach to employee wellbeing, recognizing that supporting its people extends beyond the workplace to include physical health, mental wellbeing and personal development. This approach is also reflected in the company’s focus on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), with an emphasis on creating an environment where employees feel understood, included and supported.
McDonald’s Qatar employs more than 2,100 people representing 27 nationalities, with employee wellbeing forming part of its commitment to supporting this diverse workforce. The Wellness Staff Day reflected that commitment through dedicated workshops for head office colleagues, giving them access to expert guidance on physical and mental wellbeing. Alongside its focus on employee wellbeing, McDonald’s Qatar continues to invest in initiatives that support the wider communities it serves through Rahlatuna ‘Our Journey’, its CSR platform.
Sara Abuobeid, Director of Marketing and Communications at McDonald’s Qatar, said: “Our people have been the foundation of McDonald’s Qatar since we opened our first restaurant in the country in 1995, and their wellbeing is not something we address only once a year. Through our CSR platform, Rahlatuna ‘Our Journey’, the Wellness Staff Day gave colleagues a meaningful opportunity to come together, engage with experts and access practical support around mental wellbeing and preventive care. By bringing breast cancer awareness and mental wellbeing into one experience, we hope to encourage open conversations, informed choices and a workplace where everyone feels supported and valued. Seeing colleagues from across the business take part was a powerful reminder that when we invest in our people, we strengthen our culture, our community and our purpose.”
Shefa Ali, Corporate Wellness Consultant, Evolve Wellness, added: “In celebration of World Mental Health Day, the McDonalds Qatar team were challenged to reflect on how they feel about themselves, how they connect with others and the confidence about their ability to contribute and grow. Through Unleash the Leader Within, we supported McDonalds Qatar’s goal to create a team experience that was fun and energizing but also provided the opportunity to reflect on their strengths, what they value and how they can lead from wherever they are in the organization. Days like this create the space to drive human connection which supports mental health and highlights the importance of investing in growth and wellbeing.”
Beyond the employee-focused Wellness Staff Day, McDonald's Qatar is bringing the breast cancer awareness message to customers through its limited-time McCafé offering, Pink Pop Dots. Available throughout October, the offering features special pink packaging carrying the message, "We stand for Breast Cancer Awareness and early detection," extending the conversation from the workplace to the wider community.
McDonald's Qatar is 100% locally owned, managed and operated under Al Mana Restaurants & Food Company W.L.L. and has been part of Qatar's growth since opening its first restaurant in December 1995.
