The probe focused on the working conditions of McDonald’s employees. Credit: Thabang on Unsplash.

McDonald’s has apologised for the recent allegations of sexual misconduct, racism, and staff bullying that came to light during an investigation by UK broadcaster the BBC.

Alistair Macrow, the CEO of McDonald’s operations in the UK and Ireland, said: “Every one of the 177,000 employees in McDonald’s UK deserves to work in a safe, respectful, and inclusive workplace. There are clearly instances where we have fallen short and, for that, we deeply apologise.”

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On 18 July 2023, the BBC published a report that claimed more than 100 former and current employees of the restaurant made the allegation.

The broadcaster started an investigation in February after McDonald’s signed a legally binding agreement with the UK’s Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), where it committed to protect its staff from sexual harassment.

The probe focused on the working conditions of the employees at the fast-food restaurant chain.

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During the probe, the BBC says it was told that workers, some as young as 17, were frequently harassed and groped by McDonald’s managers at various outlets across the UK.

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As per the BBC report, 31 sexual assault allegations were made, 78 reported sexual harassment, while 18 claimed to have been the victims of racism, and six made claims of homophobia.

The EHRC has set up a confidential email hotline for reporting McDonald’s harassment incidents.

A spokesperson for the EHRC said: “We are concerned to hear of these new allegations of sexual and racial harassment.

“We will look at them closely in the context of our current legal agreement with McDonald’s to tackle sexual harassment of staff in its restaurants.”