EVERY McDonald’s branch in Scotland has been warned the fast food giant could face legal action following sexual abuse claims.
Workers previously opened up on what they called a toxic culture of sexual harassment and bullying at stores across the UK.
Every branch of McDonald’s in Scotland could face legal action over sexual abuse claims[/caption]
More than 700 people who were aged 19 or younger when working at McDonald’s joined together to tackle misconduct[/caption]
In 2023, more than 100 current and former staff made the claims at the time as part of a BBC investigation, prompting McDonald’s to apologise and threaten offenders with the sack.
And in January, workers claimed they still faced sexual harassment more than a year after take-out boss Alistair Macrow promised to clean up behaviour across the chain restaurants.
More than 700 people who were aged 19 or younger when working at McDonald’s joined together to tackle misconduct, and instructed law firm Leigh Day to take legal action on their behalf.
Managers were accused of asking teenage staff members how many people they’d slept with, inappropriately touching young employees during shifts and “preying on young female workers”.
Macrow first appeared in front of parliament’s Business and Trade Committee in November 2023 where he told MPs they were working on improving conditions for staff after treatment concerns were uncovered.
The equality watchdog has now written a letter to all 1,400 branches in the UK, telling them they must comply with their legal duties to prevent sexual abuse in restaurants, or risk enforcement action.
The BBC asked a current McDonald’s employee in the south of Scotland for his thoughts on the letter.
He said he hoped the intervention would lead to “concrete change”.
Alan, 19, who is using a fake name, previously said in January that he had been repeatedly subjected to “degrading and humiliating” verbal abuse from colleagues.
He claimed he has also faced “homophobic slurs”.
Alan, who still works at the branch, said things are not much different and he wants to “get away” from it.
McDonald’s said it is “committed” to doing everything to ensure a safe working environment for all employees.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) informed the restaurant chain there was “no excuse not to comply” with rules protecting its workers from unlawful discrimination or harassment.
The legal warning that went out to sites stated that any restaurant found in breach of its duties “may be at risk of enforcement action”.
It outlined “reasonable steps” including regular risk assessments, increased safeguarding of younger workers and ensuring complaints are dealt with through a streamlined, effective procedure.
EHRC chief executive John Kirkpatrick said: “Every business in Britain, whether it’s small or large, must comply with the Equality Act. The owners of McDonald’s franchises are no exception and we’ve written to them directly to make their obligations clear.
“We know some business owners might be unsure of what action they need to take, and that’s why we’ve created clear and easy-to-follow guidance which explains how businesses can meet their legal duties.
“This is available on our website and we’ve shared it with all McDonald’s franchises so there is no excuse not to comply.
“We will not hesitate to take appropriate regulatory action if we believe a business is breaking equality law.
“Further to this intervention, we are actively working with McDonald’s Restaurants Limited to strengthen our ongoing legal agreement with them in the light of the serious allegations raised from workers.”
A McDonald’s spokesperson said: “McDonald’s agreement with the EHRC was signed in early 2023, with the intention that it continues to evolve to ensure the robust measures we have in place are aligned with any updated guidance.
“This is an agreement between McDonald’s Restaurants Limited and the EHRC.
“The communications sent by the EHRC is to remind our franchisees of their legal obligations to provide a safe, respectful and inclusive workplace for their employees – which is the same legal requirement of all employers.
“We welcome any steps that mean we are continuing to make progress in this important area.
“Together with our franchisees, we are committed to doing everything we can to ensure a safe working environment for all employees with far-reaching initiatives and measures as part of a Cultural Action Plan.
“These actions include everything from enhanced training programmes and onboarding practices, through to the launch of a new digital speak up channel designed with our and our franchisees’ restaurant crew in mind.
“We are confident that the plan we have in place is working and making a difference to the near 160,000 people currently employed by McDonald’s and our franchisees across McDonald’s in the UK & Ireland today.
“In the latest anonymous employee survey, 94% of people are aware of ways in which they can speak up and 9 in 10 people would recommend McDonald’s to a friend as a great place to work.”
McDonald’s said it is “committed” to doing everything to ensure a safe working environment for all employees[/caption]
