An employee at McDonald’s has expressed concerns about the company’s workplace culture, stating that there is still room for improvement. The worker, known as Matty for privacy reasons, mentioned that there was a tendency for some employees, including managers, to discuss their personal lives openly at work. However, Matty acknowledged that there have been positive changes recently, describing the environment as more “normal.” Having been with McDonald’s since starting as a student at 16, Matty cautioned others to carefully consider joining the company.
Another former employee, who preferred to stay anonymous, shared that they had not observed significant improvements in the work environment before leaving for another job earlier in the year. When asked if conditions had gotten better, the response was negative.
These insights coincide with the announcement that McDonald’s has reached a new agreement with the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) in the UK to enhance protections for its employees against sexual misconduct. The original agreement, established in 2023 due to concerns about the handling of staff complaints in UK restaurants, has been extended and strengthened for at least another year.
Earlier this year, over 750 individuals who were under 19 when employed by McDonald’s enlisted the law firm Leigh Day to pursue legal action on their behalf. Allegations pointed to various forms of discrimination and harassment across more than 450 McDonald’s locations by February.
Kiran Daurka, an employment law partner at Leigh Day, expressed concerns over the lack of progress at McDonald’s despite the initial agreement in 2023, urging the company to take responsibility and implement meaningful changes to protect its young workforce.
Baroness Kishwer Falkner, EHRC Chairwoman, emphasized the need for stronger actions tailored to McDonald’s operations to prevent sexual harassment. The new agreement outlines measures such as implementing a safeguarding plan for vulnerable workers, investigating complaints against managers externally, auditing the complaints handling unit, and expanding training for managers and franchisees.
McDonald’s, a major UK employer with 170,000 workers across 1,450 restaurants, aims to ensure a safe working environment for its employees. The company has taken proactive measures, including collaborating with experts and implementing initiatives to address workplace issues.
Recent legal claims and a BBC report in 2023 highlighted instances of misconduct within McDonald’s, leading to the engagement of consultants to assess the situation. The company has reiterated its commitment to creating a safe environment and has welcomed the formalization of measures within the new EHRC agreement.