McDonald’s Faces Charges of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
McDonald’s is facing allegations of sexual harassment from its employees. Twenty-five women have recently filed sexual harassment lawsuits against the McDonald’s Corporation. The complaints include gender-based discrimination and sexual harassment claims.
Unwelcome Advances, Indecent Exposure, and Retaliation
The 25 allegations against McDonald’s food chain include incidents of groping, indecent exposure, propositions for sex by supervisors, and lewd comments. The reported incidents allegedly occurred at both corporate offices and McDonald’s restaurants in over 20 cities across the country. Some of the allegations also include claims of retaliation for reporting sexual harassment to the victims’ employer. Plaintiffs in the lawsuits include employees as young as 16 years old.
A McDonald’s employee in Florida alleges experiencing sexual harassment for several months. This individual even complained about hearing sexual comments made about her 1-year-old daughter. When this employee reported the incidents to McDonald’s, she claims her employer retaliated and reduced her work hours. Similarly, many of the alleged victims report being hesitant to come forward with their claims, fearing retaliation or losing their jobs. Many workers claim when they reported the sexual harassment to their supervisors, the complaints were ignored or treated as a joke.
Following the allegations, McDonald’s workers in over 10 cities around the United States went on strike to protest sexual harassment. The company’s CEO responds to all claims that the McDonald’s Corporation commits itself to ensuring a harassment and bias-free workplace.
Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
The Equal Employment Opportunity Task Force Report estimates that between 25%-85% of women experience some form of sexual harassment in the workplace. However, any person can experience unwelcome and inappropriate behavior in the workplace. Sexual harassment includes any unwelcome advances or conduct of a sexual nature or based on someone’s sex that create a hostile work environment for the victim. These advances can be severe and pervasive. The conduct can interrupt the victim’s ability to feel comfortable in the workplace. Sexual harassment may include conduct of a sexual nature that is physical, verbal, or visual. The following actions are examples of sexual harassment in the workplace: commenting on a person’s clothing, making sexual innuendoes, inappropriate touching, following another around, showing inappropriate pictures to another. Unwelcome advances from another individual may constitute a claim for sexual harassment.
Proving retaliation in the workplace can be very difficult. The employee experiencing sexual harassment should record any instances of retaliation from employers.
Red Bank Sexual Harassment Lawyers at McOmber McOmber & Luber, P.C. Can Handle Your Sexual Harassment Case
Workplace sexual harassment can be very traumatic for victims. As a result, victims can feel hopeless and fear retaliation from their employer for reporting the unwelcome advances. You are not alone and we are here to help you.
Call our Red Bank office at 732-842-6500, our Marlton office at 856-985-9800, our Newark office at 973-878-9040, or contact us at 888-396-0736 or online for a free consultation. We represent clients throughout New Jersey.