Among the clients represented by Leigh Day is a 19-year-old employee who reported enduring homophobic comments from both managers and colleagues. He shared his experience, saying, “My manager said if I can’t deal with it, I should just leave the job…reports Asian Lite News
Over 700 junior workers at McDonald’s have joined a legal battle against the fast-food giant, alleging widespread discrimination, homophobia, and sexual harassment at its restaurants across the UK. The legal action, led by the law firm Leigh Day, involves more than 450 McDonald’s outlets, with complaints from current and former employees, some as young as 19.
The fresh allegations come a year after a BBC investigation, which exposed ongoing harassment and abuse within the company, despite promises from McDonald’s to address the issue. On Tuesday, the UK CEO of McDonald’s, Alistair Macrow, is expected to face MPs on the business and trade committee regarding these allegations.
McDonald’s, one of the UK’s largest private-sector employers with 168,000 workers across over 1,400 locations, has expressed concern over the accusations. A company spokesperson stated, “We have repeatedly asked the BBC to provide details of the deeply troubling cases they have outlined, to allow us to carry out full investigations, which we have not received. We understand the majority of these cases took place more than 12 months ago.”
Among the clients represented by Leigh Day is a 19-year-old employee who reported enduring homophobic comments from both managers and colleagues. He shared his experience, saying, “My manager said if I can’t deal with it, I should just leave the job. Things said to me shouldn’t be said to anyone, I’ve been called names like ‘faggot’.” Another claimant, who worked at a McDonald’s in the Midlands, described being bullied for having a learning disability and an eye condition, while witnessing instances of racism and inappropriate behavior from managers.
Further claims include allegations of sexual harassment, such as a young worker being repeatedly pressured for sex, and another being asked inappropriate questions about their sexual history. One manager is accused of targeting young female workers, while another allegedly made racist remarks about employees’ potential to steal due to their backgrounds.
The ongoing allegations have prompted the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to step in, having received 300 reports of harassment since the BBC’s initial investigation in 2023. The EHRC confirmed it is ramping up its efforts and working with McDonald’s to update the legal agreement in response to the serious allegations.
In response, McDonald’s emphasized its commitment to safeguarding its workforce, calling it the company’s top priority. A spokesperson added, “Any incident of misconduct and harassment is unacceptable and subject to rapid and thorough investigation and action.” The company has taken several steps to address the issue, including hiring a head of safeguarding and implementing new programs aimed at improving awareness and training. McDonald’s also introduced a digital whistleblowing platform, Red Flags, and a dedicated investigations team to handle misconduct claims.
The company remains confident that its efforts are producing positive results, citing a recent anonymous employee survey in which 92% of workers said they felt comfortable speaking up, and 93% believed management would take action. However, McDonald’s acknowledged that constant vigilance is required to uphold its standards and will continue to address any behavior that does not meet its expectations.
