McDonald's UK CEO Dismisses 29 Over Harassment Claims

McDonald's CEO Alistair Macrow disclosed in a parliamentary hearing that the company has dismissed 29 employees over sexual harassment allegations in the past year, with 47 out of 75 reported cases leading to disciplinary action. This comes as around 700 current and former employees have filed lawsuits citing serious claims such as discrimination, sexual harassment, and homophobia, following a BBC investigation that uncovered numerous testimonies of misconduct. Macrow described these allegations as 'abhorrent' and stated that the company is taking steps to address the issues, including introducing new channels for employees to report misconduct. Despite these efforts, workers continue to express concerns about ongoing harassment and the company's handling of complaints. The situation raises questions about the effectiveness of McDonald’s initiatives, as MPs pointed to a significant number of abuse claims, suggesting a culture that may still allow such behavior to flourish. The fast-food chain, which employs over 170,000 staff across 1,500 outlets in the UK, insists it is committed to creating a safe workplace but faces mounting scrutiny over its practices.