Amidst distressing claims of abuse, the chair of the Business and Trade Committee, MP Darren Jones, has called on McDonald’s to terminate franchise agreements with branches that fail to comply with labor laws. Jones referred to the allegations of sexual assault, harassment, racism, and bullying made by current and former UK employees as “some of the most appalling” he has encountered.
A recent BBC investigation shed light on routine groping and harassment experienced by McDonald’s workers, some as young as 17. In response to the allegations, McDonald’s expressed a “deep apology” and acknowledged falling short of expectations. The company had previously signed an agreement with the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) pledging to protect staff from sexual harassment, but the investigation unveiled over 100 additional complaints over the past five months, encompassing various forms of abuse.
The allegations have raised deep concerns, with a spokesperson for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak emphasizing the seriousness of the situation. Notably, most McDonald’s employees in the UK are not directly employed by the company, as it operates through a franchise system where individual operators are licensed to run outlets and employ staff.
Jones called for McDonald’s to address questions regarding compliance with employment laws within its franchises and whether such policies are outlined in contracts with local restaurants. He expressed the need for McDonald’s to ensure fair treatment and adherence to the law for its employees, paralleling the company’s dedication to maintaining quality standards for its products and customer satisfaction.
McDonald’s stated that its franchisees are required to sign agreements that include provisions for compliance with UK law. The spokesperson added that termination provisions are included in the franchise agreement should the standards not be met. McDonald’s also incorporates People Brand Standards within its framework, aiming to create a safe and inclusive workplace, with regular training and monitoring to prevent harassment, discrimination, and workplace violence.
Numerous workers who spoke with the BBC implicated McDonald’s managers across UK outlets for perpetrating the harassment and assaults. Their accounts shed light on a culture of inappropriate behavior and exploitation within the company.
Chair of the Women and Equalities Select Committee, Caroline Nokes, labeled the workers’ allegations against McDonald’s outlets as “horrific” and highlighted the issue of power dynamics. Conservative MP Nokes emphasized the exploitation of the young workforce by older managers at McDonald’s. Liberal Democrat MP Wera Hobhouse described the allegations as another distressing example of pervasive workplace harassment and urged McDonald’s and employment watchdogs to conduct thorough investigations.
Hobhouse further called on the government to support her Worker Protection Bill, which, if passed into law, would hold employers accountable for combating sexual harassment in the workplace.
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