In 2021, McDonald’s Promised to Fight Sexual Harassment—What Happened?

An investigation by The Nation and Type Investigations has raised doubts about the effectiveness of new global brand standards in preventing harassment at the fast-food giant.

Rosalia Manuel, a long-time McDonald’s employee, was abruptly terminated in 2022 after reporting incidents of harassment. Despite her loyalty and dedication to her job, she was fired for insubordination, which she believed was retaliation for speaking up about sexual harassment at the workplace.

Similarly, Sindy Pamela Mejia, another McDonald’s employee, faced harassment and retaliation after reporting the behavior to her manager. Despite the implementation of new global brand standards aimed at preventing such incidents, employees like Mejia and Manuel continue to face challenges in addressing harassment effectively.

The investigation revealed that several workers across different states experienced ongoing harassment even after reporting it, with little to no action taken by the company. The new standards, rolled out in 2021, were expected to address these issues, but workers expressed concerns about the lack of concrete procedures to handle harassment cases.

Experts highlighted that the global brand standards lacked specificity and were not effective in preventing harassment. The training provided to employees was deemed inadequate, with workers reporting that it did not adequately address the issue of harassment or provide clear guidelines on reporting incidents.

Many workers who reported harassment faced retaliation, including reduced hours, schedule cuts, and even job loss. The lack of accountability for those responsible for handling harassment complaints was a major concern for affected employees.

Despite McDonald’s commitment to addressing harassment and creating a safe workplace, the investigation revealed that the company’s efforts fell short in ensuring the well-being of its employees. The cases highlighted in the investigation underscored the need for more robust measures to prevent and address harassment effectively.

The experiences of workers like Manuel and Mejia demonstrate the ongoing challenges faced by employees in reporting and addressing harassment in the workplace. The lack of concrete action and accountability within the company has left many employees feeling unsupported and vulnerable to continued harassment.