McDonald’s is facing a wave of fresh allegations regarding workplace harassment across its UK branches, with over 700 current and former employees joining legal action against the fast-food giant. The claims include discrimination, homophobia, racism, ableism, and harassment, and have implicated more than 450 of McDonald’s 1,450 UK restaurants.
The allegations have surfaced just as UK Chief Executive Alistair Macrow is set to appear before MPs later today to address questions on employment rights.
Allegations of misconduct
The legal action, spearheaded by law firm Leigh Day, centres on individuals who were aged 19 or younger when employed by McDonald’s. Many of the claims detail shocking accounts of inappropriate behaviour by managers and colleagues.
One former employee, Claire, revealed that a shift manager in his 30s asked her for sex in exchange for additional shifts when she was just 17. Another worker, a 19-year-old man, shared his experience of enduring homophobic slurs from both managers and crew members.
“I’ve been called names like ‘faggot.’ These comments make me feel really uncomfortable – I hate working there,” he said, adding that his manager suggested he quit if he couldn’t handle the abuse.
Matt, a former employee from the Midlands, recounted his experience of being bullied for his learning disability and an eye condition. He also observed instances of racial discrimination against other workers and reported managers attempting to touch staff inappropriately.
Leigh Day’s investigation uncovered further claims, including a manager who persistently pestered a young worker for sex, another who inappropriately touched staff during shifts, and a manager who made racially charged comments about employees’ likelihood of stealing based on their background.
Broader implications
Leigh Day believes the toxic workplace culture has affected a significant number of McDonald’s employees, even those who may not have been directly targeted. The firm has urged current employees under the age of 20 to join the legal action, emphasising that the pervasive environment of misconduct makes all junior staff potential claimants.
Paul Nowak, General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), criticised McDonald’s employment practices, pointing out the connection between sexual harassment and the widespread use of zero-hours contracts.
“These contracts create a huge imbalance of power in the workplace that leaves workers vulnerable to predatory bosses,” Mr Nowak said, adding that Mr Macrow “has serious questions to answer.”
McDonald’s response
In response to the allegations, McDonald’s acknowledged the seriousness of the claims and stated that misconduct and harassment are unacceptable.
A spokesperson for the company said:
“Any incident of misconduct and harassment is subject to rapid and thorough investigation and action. We have undertaken extensive work to make our workplaces safer.”
McDonald’s noted the establishment of a dedicated safeguarding team and the implementation of company-wide programmes aimed at raising awareness and improving training.
The spokesperson highlighted a recent anonymous survey, which reportedly showed that 92% of employees now feel comfortable speaking up about issues.
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Employment practices under scrutiny
The franchise model employed by McDonald’s allows local managers to oversee recruitment and staffing decisions, a practice that has come under fire amid the allegations. Currently, 89% of McDonald’s UK workforce operates under zero-hours contracts, which critics argue exacerbate power imbalances and leave workers vulnerable.
The hearing before the Business Committee of MPs this afternoon will see Mr Macrow questioned on these employment practices and the company’s response to the growing number of harassment claims.
A history of concerns
This is not the first time McDonald’s has faced allegations of misconduct. A BBC investigation in 2023 highlighted issues of sexual assault, harassment, racism, and bullying within the company’s UK operations.
In response to that report, McDonald’s engaged consultants from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to audit its restaurants and review workplace practices. However, the recent wave of claims suggests systemic issues remain unresolved.
Looking forward
With over 700 employees now part of the legal action and public scrutiny mounting, McDonald’s faces increasing pressure to address its workplace culture comprehensively. The outcome of today’s parliamentary session will likely set the tone for how the company navigates these serious allegations moving forward.
