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Unions allege McDonald's breached labour standards over harassment
Trade unions in the UK have accused McDonald's of violating international labour standards by failing to address sexual harassment in its restaurants, following a BBC investigation that uncovered a pervasive toxic culture.
Government unit offers mediation
The complaint was lodged with the UK National Contact Point (NCP), an independent body within the Department for Business and Trade. After an initial review, the NCP determined the allegations warranted further examination and proposed mediation between the unions and McDonald's.
The NCP, composed of civil servants and external advisors, emphasized that its decision does not constitute a finding against McDonald's or confirm a breach of OECD guidelines. Participation in mediation is voluntary, and refusal by either party would trigger a deeper investigation.
Allegations of systemic harassment
The complaint, filed in February 2024 by five trade unions-including the Bakers Union and the Trades Union Congress (TUC)-alongside the Corporate Justice Coalition, cited the BBC's investigation as a catalyst. It described "persistent, deeply rooted gender-based discrimination" in McDonald's restaurants, with many victims being teenage workers. The unions accused managers of failing to intervene in repeated incidents of harassment.
"The stories exposed in the BBC investigation were horrific and have helped shine a light on workplace harassment. The most important thing to me is the workers. Their voices need to be heard. Everyone deserves the right to be safe when they go to work."
Ian Hodson, President of the Bakers Union
"Harassment at McDonald's must end. Workers and their unions are key to ending these systemic abuses and must not be sidelined."
Luise Schroter, Senior Policy Officer at the Corporate Justice Coalition
Ongoing allegations and legal action
Since the BBC's initial report, over 160 individuals have come forward with new allegations, while the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has recorded 300 reported incidents of harassment. More than 700 current and former employees are pursuing legal action against the company, alleging McDonald's failed to protect them from abuse.
Kiran Daurka, an employment partner at Leigh Day, the law firm representing the workers, stated that their clients accuse McDonald's of neglecting its duty of care.
McDonald's response and previous measures
Following the BBC's investigation, McDonald's issued an apology and established a dedicated unit to handle complaints. In November, the company agreed to implement enhanced sexual harassment training for managers as part of a package of measures with the EHRC. At the time, McDonald's described the steps as building on "significant progress" already made.
In response to the NCP's latest assessment, a McDonald's spokesperson said: "We are aware of the NCP's initial assessment and continue to engage constructively with the OECD process. We are reviewing the information and considering next steps."
Background: The BBC investigation
The BBC's probe revealed a culture of sexual harassment in McDonald's UK restaurants, with workers as young as 17 reporting incidents of groping and abuse. Despite the company's pledge to address the issue, employees stated in January 2025 that harassment persisted more than a year after the CEO's commitment to reform workplace behavior.
