New allegations of sexual abuse, harassment, racism and bullying have been made against McDonald’s, months after BBC News first revealed claims against the fast food chain. More than 160 people have since approached the BBC with fresh allegations. The UK equality watchdog has received more than 200 complaints and said it is looking at a number of options in addition to its existing legal agreement with McDonald’s. MPs will question the UK boss of McDonald’s over the claims of sexual abuse on 14 November.
Most of McDonald’s 170,000 employees in 1,450 UK restaurants are not directly employed by the company, which uses an individual franchise system. Three-quarters of the chain’s staff are aged 16-25-years-old; for many, McDonald’s is their first job. Sexual abuse claims by more than 100 current and recent workers across the country included reports of routine groping and harassing. A group of ex-workers plan to take legal action against the firm, accusing it of failing to protect them. Law firm Leigh Day is investigating the claims.
Since the publication of BBC News’ initial investigation, McDonald’s has ordered independent investigations, reviews of codes of conduct and disciplinary hearings, among other measures to address critical areas and safeguarding. The company has also appointed external employment experts to independently evaluate and report on the effectiveness of its employment practices. The review’s results are awaited, but Alistair Macrow, chief executive of McDonald’s UK and Ireland, has vowed to act on all cases brought to the company’s attention and to drive change where the firm’s standards have been breached.
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