McDonald's has agreed to introduce stronger training programs following previous allegations of sexual abuse involving young staff in its UK restaurants. Despite recent improvements, some employees suggest there is still much work to be done to change the workplace culture.
“Managers and others like to talk about their sex life openly,”
said a worker identified only as Matty, noting that while he has seen significant progress, the environment remains less than ideal. Matty, who began working at McDonald’s as a 16-year-old student, said the atmosphere has become “more normal” over time.
Another former employee, who also requested anonymity, shared that he noticed little improvement before leaving earlier this year. When asked if conditions had become better, he responded,
“Not really.”
The new measures follow an updated agreement between McDonald’s and the UK Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), which seeks to further protect staff from sexual harassment. The original legal pact, signed in 2023 after concerns about the handling of complaints, was initially set to end in 2025 but will now continue with enhanced provisions for at least another year.
While many employees acknowledge steps toward a safer and more professional work environment, the recurring remarks highlight that McDonald’s culture transformation process remains incomplete.
Author’s summary: Despite enhanced training and a renewed equality watchdog agreement, workers note McDonald’s still faces challenges in reforming its workplace culture.