"McDonald's accused over 'systemic sexual harassment' of employees worldwide", 18 May 2020

An international coalition of labor unions has filed a complaint against McDonald’s, alleging systemic sexual harassment of its employees around the world... at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development... [which] lists numerous incidents of harassment, including attempted rape and indecent exposure in the United States, a promotion in exchange for sexual acts in Brazil, and a hidden cellphone camera installed in the women’s changing room in France...

The complaint, alleges that McDonald’s has failed to comply with the organization’s Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and is the first-ever case filed related to sexual harassment at a multinational.

Organizers... claimed any actions filed in the US... would be met with “unclean hands,” on McDonald’s’ part because sexual harassment “permeates the top ranks of corporate management” there.

The complaint does not seek any monetary action, but aims to bring McDonald’s to the table to come up with a plan together to combat sexual harassment at McDonald’s restaurants worldwide... Labor unions say one challenge is that McDonald’s insists it is not responsible for employees of its franchised operations, which make up over 90% of McDonald’s restaurants worldwide...

McDonald’s Corporation said... they will review the complaint when they receive it. The company said that the conversation about safe and respectful workplaces is “deeply important,” and the company and its partners “have a responsibility to take action on this issue and are committed to promoting positive change”...