McDonald’s Faces Legal Action Over Allegations of Bullying and Abuse Across UK Outlets

Hundreds of current and former McDonald’s employees have initiated legal action against the fast-food giant, accusing the company of widespread bullying, sexual abuse, and harassment at more than 450 of its UK outlets.

The complaint, filed through law firm Leigh Day, follows a BBC investigation that uncovered troubling allegations of “unacceptable” conduct within the company, despite McDonald’s pledging last year to address such issues. Among the plaintiffs are workers as young as 19 who claim to have faced mistreatment from both managers and colleagues.

Alistair Macrow, McDonald’s UK chief executive, is set to testify before the business and trade committee of MPs. The committee is expected to question Macrow about the company’s handling of the alleged misconduct. McDonald’s, which employs 168,000 people across more than 1,400 restaurants in the UK, said it had requested more details from the BBC regarding the reported incidents in order to conduct thorough investigations but had not yet received them.

One 19-year-old claimant said he endured homophobic abuse, including being called derogatory slurs, from both managers and fellow staff. Another worker, who has a learning disability and eye condition, alleged bullying by colleagues and managers, including inappropriate touching and racist remarks. Additional claims include a young worker being pressured for sex and offensive comments about staff based on their nationality.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has reported receiving approximately 300 complaints of harassment at McDonald’s outlets since the BBC investigation first aired. The EHRC has intensified its efforts, working to update its legal agreement with the company following the new allegations.

In response to the accusations, McDonald’s reiterated its commitment to safeguarding employees and outlined measures taken to address workplace misconduct. These include the introduction of a digital whistleblowing platform called Red Flags, the establishment of a dedicated investigations team, and the appointment of the company’s first head of safeguarding. McDonald’s expressed confidence that these actions are significant steps toward eliminating abusive behavior.

However, experts in employment law have raised concerns about the effectiveness of these measures, particularly for workers on zero-hours contracts, who may feel particularly vulnerable. Emma Cocker, Senior Associate in the Employment team at Lawrence Stephens Solicitors, pointed out that such workers might fear retaliation if they file complaints. “It would appear McDonald’s still has a long way to go in providing a safe working environment,” she said, adding that prolonged tolerance of such behavior would likely lead to further legal claims and grievances.

As the legal action unfolds, McDonald’s faces mounting scrutiny over its efforts to create a safer and more respectful workplace for its employees.