McD's 'sex for shifts' shame

Firm hit by 100s of fresh abuse claims year after clean-up vow

- GRAHAM HISCOTT

MORE than a year ago McDonald's vowed to tackle claims of sex abuse and harassment, but shocking behaviour towards teenage staff allegedly continues.

At least 700 current and former employees are now taking legal action against the burger giant, which includes accusations one manager offered a worker extra shifts for sex.

There are also discrimination, homophobia and racism claims. And staff allege bosses asked youngsters how may people they had slept with or touched them inappropriately.

Around 90% are on zero-hour contracts and believe their position makes them vulnerable.

In November 2023, the firm's UK boss, Alistair Macrow, issued an apology after similar claims were levelled at it and admitted he had received around 400 complaints.

But giving evidence to the Commons Business and Trade Committee yesterday, he revealed just 75 allegations had been investigated with only 29 staff dismissed.

Chairman Liam Byrne asked him: "Has McDonald's become a predators' paradise?" Mr Macrow, 54, insisted he put in a "programme of significant change" which "is working".

But the BBC reported staff are still facing sexual abuse and torment more than a year after it investigated the claims in July 2023.

HARASSED