Fast food giant McDonald's has committed to enhancing staff training following past allegations of sexual abuse against young employees in its UK restaurants.
Matty, a longtime McDonald's worker who requested anonymity, stated the company still has “a way to go” in improving its workplace culture. He described how some managers and staff “like to talk about their sex life openly” but acknowledged recent improvements, calling the environment “more normal.”
Another anonymous former employee expressed skepticism about progress, saying conditions had not improved much before he left earlier this year, responding “not really” when asked if things were better.
The developments follow McDonald’s agreement with the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to introduce stronger protections for staff against sexual abuse. The EHRC initially arranged a legal agreement in 2023 aimed at preventing sexual harassment and improving complaint handling in the UK restaurants.
This initial agreement, scheduled to expire in 2025, has been extended and reinforced for at least another year to ensure ongoing improvements.
“Think very carefully” before joining, Matty warned prospective workers about the workplace culture.
Author's summary: Despite recent measures and improvements, McDonald’s workplace culture still faces challenges related to sexual abuse, prompting extended legal oversight and staff concerns.