More than 700 McDonald’s workers join legal action over harassment claims
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Hundreds of UK restaurants cited in allegations of discrimination, homophobia and sexual harassment. More than 700 junior McDonald’s workers have joined legal action against the fast-food giant after allegations of widespread discrimination, homophobia and sexual harassment at its restaurants across the UK.
Hundreds of current and former crew members – some as young as 19 – have instructed law firm Leigh Day to take action on their behalf, in a move that has implicated more than 450 of its outlets in Britain. Complainants have been coming forward after an investigation a year ago by the BBC, which on Tuesday claimed that workers at the chain were still facing sexual abuse and harassment despite a promise from McDonald’s to address the concerns after they were first raised.
The fresh allegations and legal claim are likely to be front and centre when the UK boss of McDonald’s, Alistair Macrow, faces MPs on the business and trade committee on Tuesday afternoon. McDonald’s is one of the UK’s largest private sector employers, with 168,000 people working at more than 1,400 restaurants.
McDonald’s said: “We have repeatedly asked the BBC to provide details of the deeply troubling cases they have outlined, to allow us to carry out full investigations, which we have not received. We understand the majority of these cases took place more than 12 months ago.”.
