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McDonald's is strengthening its commitment to staff safety by implementing new sexual harassment training for managers, a move agreed upon with the equality watchdog. This initiative directly addresses "serious allegations" that have surfaced, including a two-year-old investigation detailing groping and harassment of workers as young as 17, and more recent reports from staff of continued abuse.
McDonald's said it welcomed the new measures, adding that they would "build on the significant progress we have already made in this space". But one former worker said the announcement would not make a difference.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is now extending its original plan agreed in 2023 to protect staff at the fast-food chain from sexual harassment.
The new training will focus on the grooming of young workers and the use of social media.
McDonald's has agreed to bring in an external body to review whether it was handling sexual harassment claims appropriately, the EHRC said.
The new measures apply to McDonald's restaurants in England, Scotland and Wales. Although franchises are not directly party to the agreement it is expected that they will adopt some of the action points.
The fast-food chain signed its legally binding agreement with the EHRC in February 2023.
The investigations first began on working conditions at McDonald's after that agreement was signed. In July 2023, it was reported that more than 100 current and recent workers at the fast-food chain claimed they faced sexual assault, harassment, racism and bullying. At the time, McDonald's apologised and set up a new unit to deal with complaints.
But since then, more than 160 people have come out with allegations, while the EHRC has heard 300 reported incidents of harassment.
In January, McDonald's workers said they still faced sexual harassment more than a year after its chief executive promised to clean up behaviour at the fast-food chain.
