McDonald’s UK is set to implement significant changes following a renewed agreement with the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). This agreement, originally signed in 2023, aimed to address workplace issues, particularly concerning harassment and discrimination. The EHRC has now extended this agreement for at least an additional twelve months, emphasizing the necessity for stronger measures to ensure compliance across the franchise.
The EHRC alerted McDonald’s franchise owners that they may face legal action if they do not adhere to the updated requirements. In a statement, the commission expressed satisfaction with the progress McDonald’s has made but insisted that more stringent actions are essential. The changes come in response to serious allegations raised by over 700 young workers, who have enlisted the law firm Leigh Day for legal recourse against the fast-food giant. By February 2024, more than 450 McDonald’s locations had been implicated in claims of discrimination, homophobia, racism, ableism, and harassment.
Strengthened Measures to Enhance Workplace Safety
Baroness Kishwer Falkner, chairwoman of the EHRC, stated, “We originally signed a legal agreement with McDonald’s to prevent sexual harassment in 2023. After serious allegations were raised, we decided we needed to update the action plan with stronger actions that were more specific to the way McDonald’s operates.” She expressed confidence that the newly agreed-upon actions would foster a safer working environment, ensuring zero tolerance for harassment and establishing clear mechanisms for reporting and resolving complaints.
Under the enhanced agreement, McDonald’s must collaborate with external experts to formulate a comprehensive safeguarding plan aimed at protecting vulnerable employees. This plan will be implemented across all 1,450 McDonald’s restaurants in the UK. Additionally, the agreement mandates that complaints against management personnel be investigated independently of the restaurant, and an external auditor will oversee the new complaints handling unit. Training initiatives for managers and franchisees will also be expanded to encompass issues related to social media and grooming.
McDonald’s, employing over 170,000 individuals in the UK, has recognized the importance of addressing these workplace concerns. A company spokesperson noted that over the past three years, they have made substantial progress in cultivating a safe working environment in collaboration with their franchisees. They welcomed the formalization of these measures within the latest EHRC agreement, emphasizing that many of the initiatives stemmed from consultations with industry experts.
Background and Ongoing Challenges
This renewed focus on workplace safety follows a 2023 report by the BBC, where employees recounted experiences of sexual assault, harassment, and bullying within McDonald’s establishments. In response, the company engaged PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to conduct an audit of its operations and address these serious issues.
The legal claims and ongoing scrutiny reflect a broader societal demand for safer workplaces, particularly in industries employing a young workforce. With the average age of McDonald’s employees being just 20, the company faces significant pressure to create a culture that not only addresses past grievances but also prevents future incidents.
As McDonald’s continues to implement these changes, the effectiveness of the new measures will be closely monitored by both the EHRC and the public. The fast-food giant’s commitment to a safer working environment will be put to the test in the coming months, as it navigates the complexities of legal compliance and employee welfare.
