'Drugs, homophobia, racism and sexism' rampant at McDonald's, whistleblowers say

Addressing the deputies, McDonald's head Alistair Macrow promised to bring the criminals to justice. Photo: House of Commons/PA

He said McDonald's had received 407 employee complaints since July, of which the company had now fully investigated 157 and 75 had resulted in disciplinary action. These include 17 confirmed cases of sexual harassment and 27 cases that are still under investigation.

The British Bakers, Food and Allied Workers' Union previously said it was aware of 1,000 cases of harassment against McDonald's employees. McDonald's previously said that figure «has not been verified and no evidence has been provided to us regarding this number of cases at that time.»

The affidavit states that some employees who complained these incidents were paid or asked to sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs).

“McDonald's likes to settle cases outside of tribunals. If there is disciplinary action and the franchisee may be violating labor laws, they will always enter into an agreement with the employee, so the employee will leave with a non-disclosure agreement and pay him back,” he said. one informant.

McDonald's operates approximately 1,300 restaurants in the UK and Ireland, of which approximately 1,100 are owned by individual franchisees. The enterprises employ about 120,000 workers.

The network has signed a legally binding agreement with Equality & The Human Rights Commission (ECHR) pledged this year to protect its staff from sexual harassment.

An EHRC spokesman said earlier this month: “We are considering a number of options on how to continue our existing legal agreement. Our priority remains to ensure McDonald's improves its practices and staff are protected from sexual harassment.»

Law firm Leigh Day said employees had contacted it following the investigation and were planning legal action against them. on behalf of the company.

McDonald's has since appointed PwC experts to investigate its employment practices and disciplinary procedures.

Mr Macraw said: “This process is already underway and we plan to take further steps identified in this review as necessary.”

“I am personally committed to ensuring that All cases brought to our attention are investigated quickly and thoroughly. Where our standards have been broken or where our processes fall short, I will drive change.

“I know it takes great personal courage to speak up, and my top priority is to ensure we act quickly and decisively on what we hear.”