The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has extended its enforcement action against McDonald’s after further allegations of workplace sexual harassment surfaced across the fast‑food chain’s UK operations. The decision to strengthen the measures initially introduced in 2023 reflects ongoing concerns about McDonald’s handling of complaints and the need for more robust preventative safeguards.
Under the expanded action plan, McDonald’s will implement a series of enhanced measures designed to help protect its workforce. These include:
- Strengthened risk assessments
- Enhanced training for managers
- Independent investigation of complaints raised against managers
- The introduction of external safeguarding experts
- Regular auditing of complaints‑handling processes
These steps are intended to deliver greater consistency in how concerns are reported, managed and resolved across McDonald’s UK restaurants.
Commenting on the developments, Florence Brocklesby, founder of Bellevue Law and specialist in workplace law and commercial disputes, said:
“It is unusual for the EHRC to take enforcement action, so both the original measures set out in 2023, and their extension now, indicate that concerns about sexual harassment at McDonald’s must have been serious.
“Many of the measures agreed with McDonald’s are good practice, including the use of external experts and auditors, regular risk assessments and training. While processes and policies are important, what is critical in any organisation is a genuine commitment from the top to tackle the issue of sexual harassment. Only this will ensure that victims and witnesses can safely raise concerns, appropriate investigations and disciplinary processes are conducted, and cultural change happens.”
The strengthened agreement reflects a growing expectation across workplaces that employers must take proactive steps to prevent harassment, not only respond to complaints after they arise. This includes creating trusted reporting routes, ensuring investigations are independent and robust, and building organisational cultures in which unacceptable behaviour is consistently challenged.
For the full HR Grapevine article, visit: https://www.hrgrapevine.com/content/article/2025-11-10-mcdonalds-ordered-to-step-up-sexual-harassment-protections?utm_source=search-list&utm_medium=search&utm_campaign=bellevue
