Owners of McDonald’s companies in the United Kingdom have been informed that if they do not take steps to protect employees from sexual abuse, according to PA Media/dpa information.
The restaurant chain was informed by the Equality and Human Rights Commission ( EHRC ) that there was” no excuse not to comply” with the laws protecting its employees from unlawful discrimination or harassment.
More than 700 employees at McDonald’s were given the legal advice Leigh Day to take legal action on their behalf earlier this year.
By February, more than 450 McDonald’s eateries had been linked to the allegations, which included prejudice, bigotry, prejudice, discrimination, and abuse.
Additionally, the letter stated that any restaurant found to be breaking its obligations “may be in danger of taking police motion.”
Additionally, it listed “reasonable steps,” such as regular risk assessments, increased securing for younger employees, and ensuring complaints are handled through a streamlined, powerful process.
Every organization in Britain, whether it’s small or large, may adhere to the Equality Act, according to EHRC CEO John Kirkpatrick. We’ve written to McDonald’s franchise owners instantly to clarify their duty. They are no exception.
We understand that some business owners may not understand what to do, so we’ve put together clear and straightforward instructions that explain how businesses can fulfill their legal obligations.
There is no justification for not complying because this is available on our site and we’ve shared it with all of our McDonald’s businesses.
If we think a company is breaking the law, we will not dare to comply with appropriate regulatory requirements.
In response to the major allegations made by employees, we are constantly working with McDonald’s Restaurants Limited to improve our continuing legal relationship with them.
A McDonald’s director told the BBC that the company was” dedicated” to offering team members a safe working environment.
The business also “welcomed” any suggestions for updating or improving current procedures.
A spokesperson said that these actions include everything from increased training programs and recruitment procedures to the launch of a new online speak-up channel created with the needs of our and our franchisees in mind.
” We are convinced that the schedule we have in place is working and affecting the nearly 170, 000 people who work for McDonald’s and our franchisees across McDonald’s in the UK andamp, Ireland today,” said McDonald’s.
With more than 170, 000 employees working in 1, 450 franchises, McDonald’s is one of Britain’s biggest companies.
According to the fast food chain, its people are 20 on average.
The allegations come after a split BBC record from 2023 that featured employees complaining about workplace sexual assault, abuse, racism, and bullying.
McDonald’s hired PricewaterhouseCoopers ( PwC ) consultants to audit its restaurants in response.
Regardless of whether they have personally experienced abuse, Leigh Day attorneys think young team members and McDonald’s employees may be entitled to file lawsuits.
It urged any present employees under the age of 20 to meet the legal action and claimed that they could have been exposed to a culture of inappropriate behavior.
McDonald’s locations operate under a franchise model, which entails regional managers taking over the hiring process for employees.
At McDonald’s, about 89 percent of British employees work on zero-hours agreements.
A McDonald’s director last year claimed that the chain had performed “extensive work” to produce its locations safer.
They remarked that “every instance of wrongdoing or abuse is unethical and subject to prompt and thorough investigation and activity.”
They added that the business had established a dedicated team to address the issue and that it has “already rolled out company-wide programs to improve safeguarding, travel awareness, and enhance training.”
” We are convinced that we are taking major and significant steps to address the unacceptable behaviors that every organization experiences.”
According to an unnamed private employee survey conducted recently, 92 % of its employees are now” comfortable speaking away.”
The company stated that it provides people with the option of working on guaranteed or zero-hours contracts. Bernama-PA MEDIA/dpa