McDonald’s agrees new measures to tackle sexual harassment

McDonald’s has extended a legal agreement with the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to protect staff from abuse following a BBC investigation that found employees as young as 17 were “groped and harassed almost routinely”.

The EHRC said that the new agreement built on initiatives already made by McDonald’s, with a new action plan developed in response to serious allegations raised after the original agreement was signed.

The original agreement between McDonald’s and the equality regulator was signed in February 2023. Since then hundreds of employees have told the BBC they continue to face sexual assault, harassment, racism and bullying. Some 300 also reported incidents of harassment to the EHRC.

Under the new agreement, McDonald’s has agreed to introduce measures including commissioning an external audit to handle any new complaints, working with safeguarding experts to design a new plan for vulnerable workers, refreshing sexual harassment training and ensuring franchisees pledge their commitment to adopting appropriate policies, systems and measures.

Baroness Kishwer Falkner, chairwoman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said: “We originally signed a legal agreement with McDonald’s to prevent sexual harassment in 2023. After serious allegations were raised, we decided we needed to update the action plan with stronger actions that were more specific to the way McDonald’s operates.

“We’re pleased with the significant steps McDonald’s has agreed to take towards a safer working environment for its staff and recognise the hard work they’ve done so far. Once completed, the actions that make up this legal agreement will ensure that there is zero tolerance for harassment at McDonald’s and there are clear routes to report and resolve complaints if it does occur.

“Everyone in the UK has the right to a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. As Britain’s equality regulator, we will continue to use our enforcement powers to ensure that right is upheld.”

A McDonald’s spokesperson told the BBC: "Over the last three years, alongside our franchisees, we have embedded an extensive set of robust and far-reaching initiatives, as part of our steadfast commitment to ensuring a safe working environment in McDonald’s restaurants.

"We welcome the fact that these measures have been formalised within the latest EHRC agreement. This will build on the significant progress we have already made in this space.

"The agreement incorporates many of our existing measures which have been developed in consultation with leading experts. This includes a range of initiatives, from enhanced training programmes and onboarding practices, to the launch of a new digital Speak Up channel designed with our crew – for our crew, providing a 24/7 channel that reflects the way young people feel most comfortable engaging.

"We are confident the measures we have implemented are working and making a difference to the 148,000 people currently employed by McDonald’s and our Franchisees across the UK today. In the latest anonymous employee survey, 95% of people are aware of ways in which they can speak up.

"We look forward to continuing our work with the EHRC and believe it will help us remain at the forefront of the industry when it comes to creating a safe and respectful workplace culture that embeds safeguarding across every one of our restaurants."