Local Assembly Member meets with McDonald’s over abuse revelations

Local London Assembly Member Unmesh Desai AM has met with McDonald’s UK/IRE Vice President (Operations), Hazel Kraft, to receive reassurances following revelations of staff mistreatment and abuse at the restaurant chain.

The meeting was called after Mr Desai wrote to the organisation expressing grave concern at the reports, particularly as McDonalds is a major employer across East London, and requested further detail on how the organisation would prevent it happening again.

Ms Kraft informed Mr Desai that a number of procedures are already in place, including mandatory Equality, Diversity and Inclusion training, tracking of discrimination cases and spot checks on franchises, but acknowledged that failings had been made and pledged to take immediate further action.

Local London Assembly Member, Unmesh Desai AM, said:

“The recently published revelations of staff abuse, especially of young staff and women, were shocking to read. I’m relieved that McDonald’s have made it clear to me that they are taking action.

“While steps like external review of the business and the creation of an Investigations Handling Unit are welcome, I’m keen to see swift progress made and have agreed to meet regularly with McDonald’s to review progress. As a major employer with 14 restaurants across City and East London, I’ll ensure they deliver on their promise to improve conditions for their employees.

“I’m also calling on McDonald’s to work with trade unions to develop and share best practice and to inform their decision making going forward. Our trade unions have decades of knowledge and experience to draw from and I hope McDonald’s will make use of this in the future.”