A law firm spearheading action against McDonald’s says the number has now risen to more than 750 – the US burger chain has been rocked by allegations of sex abuse and harassment
Another 30 McDonald’s UK workers have joined legal action against the fast food giant, the Mirror can reveal.
Law firm Leigh Day says others have come forward with claims against McDonald’s since fresh allegations emerged earlier this month, taking the number now to more than 750. The US burger chain has been rocked by allegations of sex abuse and harassment by teenage staff members. The accusations include one manager offering a worker extra shifts for sex.
McDonald’s vowed in November 2023 to tackle the problem. But fresh allegations emerged earlier this month, suggesting it was continuing. There are also discrimination, homophobia and racism claims. And staff allege bosses asked youngsters how may people they had slept with or touched them inappropriately.
Around 90% are on zero-hour contracts and an MP recently claimed this made their position vulnerable. In November 2023, the firm’s UK boss, Alistair Macrow, issued an apology after similar claims were levelled at it and admitted he had received around 400 complaints. But giving evidence to the Commons Business and Trade Committee last week, he revealed just 75 allegations had been investigated, with only 29 staff dismissed.
Chairman Liam Byrne asked him during the hearing: “Has McDonald’s become a predators’ paradise?” Mr Macrow, 54, insisted he put in a “programme of significant change” which “is working”.
Jessica Hunt, employment solicitor at Leigh Day said: “With an average age of 20 years, it’s essential the McDonald’s workforce feel safe. It would seem that a culture of harassment may have exposed largely young crew members to an environment that would likely be detrimental to their wellbeing. No employee should be exposed to unsafe working practices. By bringing a group claim, we can provide young crew members with a collective voice.
“We would advise anyone who has experienced harassment, or who has felt unsafe at work to seek legal advice. This young workforce has the chance to hold McDonald’s to account and bring about real change in their restaurants.”
The legal action involves an indirect age discrimination claim which arises from a workplace culture in which harassment and discrimination has allegedly been allowed to thrive. It alleges that the exposure to unsafe and hostile working environments is detrimental to younger employees of McDonald’s. Proceedings have been issued, with the first claims were filed in October 2023. The first preliminary hearing is listed for January 31, but will deal will administrative matters.
A McDonald’s spokesperson said: “Ensuring the 168,000 people that work in McDonald’s restaurants are safe is the most important responsibility for both us and our franchisees, and we have undertaken extensive work over the last year to ensure we have industry leading practices in place to support this priority. Any incident of misconduct and harassment is unacceptable and subject to rapid and thorough investigation and action.
“Our relentless focus on eliminating all forms of harassment at McDonald’s is led by a newly created team and informed by the experience and guidance of external experts. Working at speed they have already rolled-out company-wide programmes to improve safeguarding, drive awareness and enhance training. We have also recruited our first Head of Safeguarding and in addition to the four speak up channels already available, and have introduced a new, easy to use, digital speak-up channel, Red Flags. This provides employees in all company-owned and franchised restaurants the opportunity to speak up confidentially, at any time, via a channel they are comfortable with.”
