The UK’s Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has warned McDonald’s that it must protect its staff from sexual harassment or face legal consequences. The commission sent letters to all 1,400 McDonald’s branches in the UK, urging them to meet their legal duties or risk enforcement action.
This warning comes after an investigation revealed ongoing issues with sexual harassment and abuse within the company. The allegations highlight serious problems that have persisted even after McDonald’s CEO promised to address the issue in 2022.
The EHRC’s Warning to McDonald’s
The EHRC has described the allegations as very concerning. The commission pointed out that McDonald’s had not done enough to stop the abuse. The company has put some measures in place, but the EHRC says more needs to be done.
John Kirkpatrick, the EHRC’s chief executive, stressed that all businesses, no matter their size, must protect their workers from harassment. This includes McDonald’s, which operates 1,400 restaurants across the UK. The commission reminded the company of its legal obligations under the Equality Act.
However, McDonald’s branches are mostly franchises, meaning that individual franchise owners are responsible for making sure their restaurants follow the law. The EHRC warned that if McDonald’s fails to take action, the company could face legal penalties, including unlimited fines.
Steps McDonald’s Needs to Take
In its letter, the EHRC outlined steps McDonald’s must follow. These include conducting regular risk assessments, especially for younger and vulnerable workers, and making sure complaints are dealt with quickly and carefully. The commission also reminded McDonald’s of its duty to provide a safe working environment.
The EHRC said that if the company does not act, it will take legal action. The commission has the power to investigate misconduct and even bring cases to court.
Ongoing Harassment and Employee Concerns
Employees at McDonald’s have reported troubling incidents of harassment. One worker, 19-year-old Alan from southwest Scotland, shared his experience of verbal abuse and homophobic slurs at work. He said he felt humiliated by his colleagues but has not been able to leave the job because of the toxic atmosphere.
His story reflects a wider issue across the company. Many employees have reported inappropriate behavior, such as managers touching staff inappropriately or customers making sexual comments. Some workers say they were told to “suck it up” when they tried to report the misconduct. Others left their jobs because they did not feel safe.
The Slow Response to the Problem
Liam Byrne, chair of the Business and Trade Select Committee, criticized the EHRC for acting too slowly. He said the commission had known about the problem for years but only recently reminded McDonald’s of its legal obligations. Byrne said the EHRC should have acted sooner.
The EHRC defended its approach. It said that working closely with McDonald’s management was the best way to make long-lasting changes. However, Kirkpatrick also stated that the commission would take enforcement action if McDonald’s does not improve.
McDonald’s Response and Ongoing Investigations
McDonald’s has been under investigation for more than two years. In 2023, reports showed that employees as young as 17 were facing regular harassment. Since then, McDonald’s has apologized and set up a unit to handle complaints. But the company’s efforts have not been enough to stop the abuse.
In response to the allegations, McDonald’s CEO Alistair Macrow was called to Parliament twice in 2023. He confirmed that 29 employees had been fired due to harassment. McDonald’s also said it was working on a cultural change plan, which includes better training for staff, new onboarding procedures, and a digital system for reporting incidents.
Despite these efforts, many employees are still unhappy with the company’s response. A recent anonymous survey revealed that while most workers know how to report issues, they still feel unsafe at work. McDonald’s insists that its plans are working, but the ongoing allegations suggest more needs to be done.
The EHRC’s warning to McDonald’s is a critical moment in the company’s efforts to address workplace harassment. If McDonald’s fails to meet its legal obligations, it could face serious legal consequences.
For now, McDonald’s remains confident in its ability to solve the problem. The company says its efforts are helping, but it must now show real progress. The future of McDonald’s workplace culture depends on how effectively the company addresses these ongoing issues.