McDonald’s has pledged to better protect staff at its UK restaurants after a string of sexual harassment complaints.
The fast food chain has this week signed a legal agreement with the equality watchdog that commits it to a number of measures to better protect workers in the UK after the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU) claimed back in 2019 that more than 1,000 sexual harassment complaints had been logged.
The union alleged that there was a “toxic culture” at UK McDonald’s branches in the wake of strikes at restaurants in several US cities on the same issue back in 2018, and the company’s failure to sufficiently deal with the matter.
The legal agreement with the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) includes communicating to staff a “zero tolerance” approach to sexual harassment.
McDonald’s pledges to better protect staff at its UK restaurants after a string of sexual harassment complaints / Credit: McDonald’s
On top of this, the agreement – which applies to all UK franchised restaurants, but excludes Ireland and the US – also requires McDonald’s to provide anti-harassment training to its staff, and to improve policies to better respond to any complaints made.
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The chain’s UK chief executive Alistair Macrow stressed that harassment and abuse “have no place in our society or at McDonald’s”.
Addressing the new legal commitment, Mr Macrow said: “As one of the UK’s leading employers, the safety and wellbeing of our people is our absolute priority [and] it is hugely important to me that everyone in our organisation feels safe, respected and included at all times – this is core to the values of our business.
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“We already have a strong track record in this area, and I now welcome the opportunity to work with the EHRC to further strengthen this.”
A union representing workers claimed in 2019 that more than 1,000 sexual harassment complaints had been logged / Credit: McDonald’s
Ian Hodson, national president of the BFAWU, added: “It’s shameful that one of the richest corporations on the planet doesn’t take sexual harassment seriously until we raise it [but] I pay tribute to all our members who have spoken out on this issue and encourage McDonald’s to work with us in ending sexual harassment.”
EHRC chairwoman Baroness Kishwer Falkner said that by McDonald’s signing the agreement, she hopes the chain can “set an example for others to follow, whether in the hospitality industry or elsewhere.”
Featured Image – McDonald’s UK (via Twitter)
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Police appeal launched as woman dies after being hit by lorry in Bury
Daisy Jackson
A woman has tragically died after being hit by a lorry in Bury yesterday afternoon.
At around 3.45pm on Tuesday 6 October, emergency services were called to a road traffic collision in Radcliffe.
The collision was between a pedestrian and a lorry on Church Street West.
Tragically, the pedestrian – a woman in her 50s – passed away at the scene despite the efforts of emergency services.
A large cordon was in place yesterday and road has remained closed this morning.
Officers from GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit are now appealing for information.
They said: “At around 3.45pm yesterday (Tuesday 6 October 2026) we were called to reports of a road traffic collision between a pedestrian and a lorry on Church Street West, Radcliffe.
“Emergency services attended but sadly the pedestrian, a woman in her 50s, passed away at the scene.
“No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing.
“Anyone with information including CCTV, Ring doorbell or dashcam footage is asked to contact police on 101 quoting log 2299 of 06.10.26. Reports can also be made via our website of the LiveChat function at www.gmp.police.uk.
“Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
New measures announced to tackle ‘rogue’ landlords across Greater Manchester
Emily Sergeant
A cohort of trained enforcement officers are set to hit the streets in all 10 boroughs to help improve the lives of the region’s renters.
Forming part of Greater Manchester‘s commitment to the highest-quality housing standards alongside the Good Landlord Charter, the newly trained enforcement officers will be tasked with protecting tenants, joining Council teams in checking rental properties, bringing enforcement action against bad landlords, and cracking down on illegal practices.
The introduction of the new enforcement officers comes after what has been ‘years of sustained pressure’ on local budgets.
Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) says it is working with the 10 councils across the region to strengthen local teams, rebuild in-house skills and expertise, and ensure that powers can be applied with consistency in all boroughs.
As mentioned, this all forms part of the Good Landlord Charter – which is GMCA’s ‘bold approach’ to drive up standards for renters across the region.
Landlords of more than half of rented properties in Greater Manchester have now signed up as supporters of the Charter, and as supporters, they have committed to going above and beyond legal minimums to improve the renting experience for hundreds of thousands of people.
“A safe place to call home is the cornerstone of a happy, healthy life,” explained Mayor Bev Craig. “But for years, people have felt trapped in poor-quality housing, and cash-strapped councils were unable to step in to help. I’m putting an end to that.
“We know there are plenty of good landlords in Greater Manchester, and many of them have already signed up to our Good Landlord Charter, but too many are just not good enough.
“That’s why we’re deploying a new generation of expert housing officers onto the streets of our towns and cities.”
Mayor Bev Craig declared that she ‘won’t stand by and let rogue landlords take advantage of people’.
She continued: “By empowering renters, working with responsible landlords, and using our powers to crack down on the bad ones, I will make sure everyone in Greater Manchester has the foundation for a good life.”
Emily Sergeant -
8th February 2023 
