McDonald’s Fires 29 Over Harassment Scandal
A 17-year-old employee from Cheshire reported being racially taunted and sexually harassed by a colleague 20 years her senior.
The head of McDonald’s in the UK stated that following sexual harassment allegations, 29 employees were dismissed over the past year.
Alistair Macrow told British MPs that cases detailed in a BBC report on Tuesday were “abhorrent and unacceptable” and that there is no place for such behavior in McDonald’s.
Shocking Allegations from Employees
In July 2023, over 100 current and former McDonald’s employees accused the company of fostering a toxic workplace environment, involving sexual abuse, harassment, racism, and bullying. Some of the employees subjected to harassment were under 17 years old.
Details of the Allegations
A 17-year-old employee from Cheshire reported being racially taunted and sexually harassed by a colleague 20 years her senior.
A 16-year-old in Hampshire was propositioned by a manager in exchange for vaping products.
At a branch in Wales, male managers reportedly bet on who could seduce a newly hired female employee first.
A senior manager in Plymouth allegedly strangled and groped a 17-year-old female worker.
Management’s Inaction
Several employees said senior managers ignored complaints or simply transferred accused individuals to other branches rather than taking disciplinary action.
Corporate Response
McDonald’s apologized deeply for these incidents and initiated investigations.
The company emphasized implementing extensive measures to ensure employee safety, including training for over 2,000 managers and reinforcing a zero-tolerance policy for harassment.
Broader Context
McDonald’s employs over 170,000 people across 1,450 outlets in the UK, with a majority of the workforce aged 16–25.
Most employees work under franchise agreements, where individual operators manage hiring and policies.
While McDonald’s has faced similar allegations globally, the report has brought to light systemic issues within the company’s UK operations, raising concerns about the effectiveness of existing safeguards.
McDonald’s pledged to investigate every complaint and hold those responsible accountable to ensure a safe and respectful workplace for all employees.