More than 700 current and former McDonald’s employees in the United Kingdom are pursuing legal action against the fast-food giant, alleging widespread workplace harassment and discrimination. The legal firm Leigh Day is representing the workers, many of whom were under the age of 19 at the time of the alleged incidents.
The allegations stem from a 2023 BBC investigation that uncovered a “toxic culture” of sexual assault, harassment, racism, and bullying within McDonald’s UK restaurants. Leigh Day’s clients describe experiencing discrimination based on sexual orientation, race, disability, and gender, as well as pervasive harassment.
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The legal claims implicate over 450 McDonald’s locations across the UK. One current employee, 19, shared experiences of homophobic comments from managers and coworkers, feeling unable to report the harassment for fear of losing their job.
Allegations include managers repeatedly pressuring young workers for sex, inquiring about their sexual history, and touching staff inappropriately. These claims paint a disturbing picture of a hostile work environment pervasive across numerous McDonald’s branches.
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McDonald’s UK CEO Alistair Macrow acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations during a parliamentary hearing, stating that even one case is unacceptable. He condemned the alleged behavior as abhorrent and assured that those found responsible would face severe consequences, including dismissal. Macrow reported that 29 employees had been terminated in the past year due to sexual harassment allegations.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is working with McDonald’s to strengthen its legal agreement and ensure effective measures are implemented to protect employees from harassment. The EHRC has a confidential hotline for reporting such incidents and is actively using gathered information to shape discussions with McDonald’s.
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In February 2023, McDonald’s entered into a legal agreement with the EHRC to address concerns about equality law violations. McDonald’s employs over 135,000 people in its more than 1,450 restaurants across the UK and Ireland. Following the initial allegations, Macrow issued a statement emphasizing the company’s zero-tolerance policy towards harassment, abuse, and discrimination. He affirmed that all allegations would be thoroughly investigated and met with appropriate disciplinary action.
