McDonald’s Workers Allege Sexual Abuse and Harassment in the Workplace
Reports of ongoing sexual abuse and harassment by McDonald’s workers have emerged, despite assurances of a safer working environment provided last year. The complaints include allegations of sexual and racial abuse, as well as harassment, homophobia, and bullying. In response, an email hotline was set up in 2023 for staff at McDonald’s branches in the UK to report such incidents. However, workers have continued to come forward with fresh harassment claims to the BBC, despite McDonald’s signing a legally binding agreement with the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to prevent sexual harassment.
A dedicated team has now been established at McDonald’s to address and eradicate all forms of harassment within the company. While McDonald’s acknowledged that most of the reported cases occurred over a year ago, distressing stories shared during a BBC investigation revealed disturbing incidents ranging from inappropriate touching by managers to verbal abuse and bullying. One worker, Matt, mentioned that some of his colleagues were fearful of going to work due to managers engaging in inappropriate behaviour, while another worker, Claire, disclosed an incident where a shift manager allegedly requested sexual favours in return for additional shifts.
Instances of degrading and homophobic verbal abuse were also reported by workers, with one employee, Alan, sharing his experience of facing homophobia within a McDonald’s branch in southwestern Scotland. Despite reporting the issue to a senior manager, Alan claimed the response trivialized the matter as “just banter.” McDonald’s has stated that they continuously urge the BBC to provide details of the reported cases to conduct thorough investigations, though they have not received such information.
The EHRC, in collaboration with McDonald’s, is working to update their existing legal agreement in light of the serious allegations raised in the BBC investigation. Law firm Leigh Day has been engaged to pursue legal action against McDonald’s following these claims. McDonald’s expressed confidence in their efforts to combat unacceptable behaviours, emphasising their commitment to safeguarding their employees and fostering a culture of speaking up against misconduct.
McDonald’s introduced an internal programme called ‘Red Flags,’ driven by feedback from crew members, to enable employees to raise concerns digitally. The company highlighted that ensuring the safety of their 168,000 employees is a top priority and outlined their comprehensive actions to address and prevent harassment in the workplace. McDonald’s aims to maintain a supportive work environment where employees are comfortable reporting any misconduct.
The company reiterated their dedication to employee feedback, emphasising that flexible contracts remain popular while also offering the option of guaranteed hours contracts. McDonald’s aims to provide choices to suit individual preferences, with regular assessments to ensure awareness of contract options and opportunities for open dialogue with management. McDonald’s stated that they are committed to upholding high standards and swiftly addressing any behaviour that contradicts their values.
As investigations continue and efforts to enhance workplace safety progress, McDonald’s remains focused on fostering a culture of respect and accountability within the organisation. Employees are encouraged to utilise the available channels to voice concerns and contribute to a positive work environment. The company’s proactive measures and commitment to addressing misconduct underscore their determination to uphold a standard of excellence in employee welfare and workplace conduct.