McDonald's workers 'asked disturbing sex question by bosses' as 700 take action
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McDonald's has been accused of being a 'predators' paradise' as more than 700 staff members are suing the firm. The fast-food giant has been hit with serious allegations that bosses sexually abused teenage workers - including claims that more senior members of staff suggested junior colleagues could 'have sex for shifts'. The new allegations come after UK chief Alistair Macrow apologised in November 2023 over sordid accusations.
More than a year ago, McDonald's vowed to tackle claims of sex abuse and harassment after Mr Macrow said he had received around 400 complaints. Giving evidence to the Commons Business and Trade Committee, Mr Macrow this week revealed just 75 allegations had been investigated, with only 29 staff dismissed.
Chairman Liam Byrne asked him: "Has McDonald's become a predators' paradise?” Mr Macrow, 54, insisted he put in a "programme of significant change" which "is working". But shocking behaviour towards teenage staff allegedly continues, along with discrimination, homophobia, and racism claims.
The BBC reported staff are still facing sexual abuse and torment and with around 90 per cent of youngsters working at the chain on zero-hour contracts, they are seen as more vulnerable. Some younger staff members have alleged that they were disturbingly asked by bosses how many people they had slept with and had been touched inappropriately.
One, Claire – not her real name – has claimed that when she was 17, working at a branch in the Midlands in 2023, a shift manager in his 30s asked her for sex in return for extra shifts. She refused and told the programme: "You don't expect that to happen. It was totally inappropriate.".
