UK: Staff Accuses McDonald's of Harassment

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The Facts

  • According to a report by the BBC published on Tuesday, over 100 employees have accused McDonald's of creating a toxic work culture at the American fast-food giant's UK outlets.

  • The BBC began investigating working conditions at McDonald's in February, after the company signed a legally binding agreement with the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) assuring it would keep its staff safe from sexual harassment.


The Spin

Pro-establishment narrative

While these allegations are serious and unfortunate, McDonald's follows labor laws and goes to great lengths to ensure that all employees enjoy a safe and respectful workplace. There is no place for abuse at the company — management will investigate all allegations and impose the most severe outcomes for any breaches of conduct they uncover.

Establishment-critical narrative

McDonald's doesn't care about the well-being of its employees. Similar allegations were made four years ago by over 1K women who reported they had been subjected to sexual harassment and abuse while working at McDonald's restaurants, yet nothing has changed. The failure to act on complaints has clearly continued, as toxic behaviors remain present in the corporation.


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