McDonald’s should terminate franchise deals if its branches fail to follow labour law, the chair of the Business and Trade Committee has said.
The BBC reports MP Darren Jones said claims of sexual assault, harassment, racism, and bullying by McDonald’s’ current and former UK staff were “some of the most appalling” he had seen.
Yesterday (18 July), a BBC investigation revealed some workers, as young as 17, were being groped and harassed almost routinely, with over 100 allegations from workers relating to sexual assault, harassment, racism, and homophobia over the past five months.
Jones told the BBC’s Today programme that the chain must answer questions over how employment laws were being obeyed in its franchises and if such policies were in its contracts with local restaurant.
A spokesperson for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the allegations are “deeply concerning.”
McDonald’s has “deeply apologised” and admitted it had “fallen short.”
A spokesperson for McDonald’s said its franchisees are required to sign an agreement, including a stipulation they will comply with UK law.
He said: “Our franchise agreement contains termination provisions should they not comply with these standards.
“Within our standards we specifically include People Brand Standards to ensure restaurants are operated in accordance with UK law in a manner that creates a safe, respectful, inclusive workplace and includes regular training and monitoring on prevention of harassment, discrimination and workplace violence.”
