McDonald’s has fired 18 workers over allegations of sexual abuse, racism, and bullying.
Alistair Macrow, the CEO of McDonald’s UK and Ireland, said the company faces “one or two” sexual harassment staff claims weekly.
In July, a series of complaints emerged following a BBC investigation, leading to over 400 allegations within the organisation.
Read More: McDonald’s Forms Investigation Unit After BBC Reveals Abuse Claims
Macrow described the testimonies as “truly horrific and hard to listen to.”
Since July, McDonald’s has conducted over 157 full investigations, resulting in 75 cases of disciplinary action, including the recent firings.
An additional 249 complaints related to safety and inclusivity in the workplace are currently under investigation.
Macrow stressed the McDonald’s committee’s commitment to “eradicate” abuse claims and improve the workplace culture.
Read More: How A Small, Spiky Animal Forced McDonald’s To Change McFlurries Forever
Earlier this month, law firm Leigh Day announced a group legal action on behalf of several employees concerning assault and harassment allegations.
Macrow said: “We typically would see between 20 and 25 contacts per week, of which one or two are sexual harassment, across the organisation.”
The company has launched independent investigations, audits of complaints procedures, and disciplinary hearings, launched in response to the July claims.
However, union representatives said the feedback from workers indicates no substantial improvement.
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Ian Hodson, national president of the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union, told MPs: “The feedback we are getting is that nothing has changed.
“There is a tick-box system that has been put in play, a video about how things are supposed to happen.
“We really welcome the involvement of EHRC (Equality and Human Rights Commission) but what was really lacking is the workers’ involvement in that process.”
Unions also allege McDonald’s has a history of using non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) in response to claims.
Macrow rejected these statements but admitted to adding “confidentiality clauses” where employees leave the company with a settlement agreement.
