Disturbing allegations of antisemitism, racism, and sexual assault made by McDonald’s employees

Employees of the fast-food chain McDonald’s have made disturbing allegations that widespread incidents of racism, including antisemitism, sexual assault, and bullying have been taking place at locations across the country.

Following this, a new, confidential e-mail hotline has been created.

The hotline has been set up by the Equality and Human Rights Commission. Its website states: “We are concerned to hear of these new allegations of sexual and racial harassment. We will look at them closely in the context of our current legal agreement with McDonald’s to tackle sexual harassment of staff in its restaurants.”

Those affected can e-mail the hotline at [email protected].

The BBC reported that an investigation found that after speaking to McDonald’s workers over a five-month period, they heard of more than 100 allegations from employees. Of these allegations, 31 related to sexual assault and 78 related to sexual harassment. Eighteen allegations of racism were made, while six people made allegations of homophobia.

A current McDonald’s employee in Essex said that she faced antisemitic abuse whilst working at the restaurant. 

Other examples of racism included an Indian employee based in Oxfordshire, who said that her colleagues spoke in “gibberish” to imitate her. She also said that her colleagues called a Pakistani colleague a terrorist.

Many of the sexual assault and harassment accusations have been made by sixteen and seventeen-year-olds.

McDonald’s has said of the allegations that the company had “fallen short” and it “deeply apologised”.

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