USA: McDonald's launches training program to prevent harassment and discrimination
"McDonald's to start new worker training program following criticism over workplace safety issues", 28 August 2019
McDonald's (MCD) announced Wednesday a new training program for restaurant workers and supervisors that aims to mitigate issues like bullying, sexual harassment and discrimination.
The company will roll out training materials, developed in partnership with sexual violence prevention organization RAINN, for all its US stores in October. The training will include computer-based and in-person lessons on issues such as discrimination and retaliation prevention, how to diffuse violent situations with customers and how to report a harassment complaint.
The announcement comes after months of criticism of McDonald's by its restaurant workers, who say they have experienced violence, sexual harassment and other workplace issues at both corporate and franchise locations...
"There is a deeply important conversation around safe and respectful workplaces in communities throughout the US and around the world," Chris Kempczinski, president of McDonald's USA, said in a statement. "Together with our franchisees, we have a responsibility to take action on this issue and are committed to promoting positive change."
This is the first time McDonald's has provided such training for its nearly 850,000 US restaurant workers like cooks and cashiers. After the criticism over workplace safety issues began last year, the company conducted manager and restaurant operator trainings and introduced an anonymous hotline for employees to report concerns...
"The resulting training, announced today, might be good PR, but it isn't a solution," said a joint statement from Fight for $15, the American Civil Liberties Union and Futures Without Violence.
"Training workers to know right from wrong is meaningless if workers who report misconduct are ignored, or worse, punished. Training is useless if those who ignore its lessons face no consequences," the groups said...