Noor Nanji & Zoe Conway
BBC News
A warning has been issued to all McDonald’s branches in Britain regarding the potential legal action that could be taken against owners if they do not take measures to protect staff from sexual abuse. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has sent letters to all 1,400 branches, emphasizing the importance of complying with legal duties to prevent sexual assault and harassment after a BBC investigation revealed a toxic culture within the fast-food chain.
Despite promises from McDonald’s chief executive to address inappropriate behavior within the company, workers reported ongoing incidents of sexual harassment in January. The fast-food chain asserts its commitment to ensuring a safe working environment for all employees and states that its current plan is effectively working to address these issues.
One McDonald’s employee, identified as Alan, expressed hope that the EHRC’s intervention will bring about tangible changes for individuals like him who have experienced verbal abuse and homophobic slurs in the workplace. Despite the existing measures, Alan notes that the situation has not significantly improved and expresses a desire to leave the environment.
The EHRC, in a seen letter, described the allegations from the BBC’s investigation as “troubling” and highlighted the need for businesses, including franchises like McDonald’s, to adhere to the Equality Act. Franchise operators are responsible for ensuring that anti-discrimination and harassment measures are effective, with potential enforcement actions for non-compliance outlined in the letter.
The correspondence also details the steps that restaurant owners can take to prevent sexual harassment within their establishments, including conducting regular risk assessments, safeguarding vulnerable workers, and establishing a comprehensive procedure for handling complaints. Failure to meet legal obligations may result in enforcement action, with potential fines issued by the watchdog. Opposition figures have criticized the EHRC for the delayed action in addressing harassment at McDonald’s, calling for more robust enforcement measures to ensure workplace safety and accountability
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