Despite greater freedom to report sexual harassment at work, workers in New Jersey and across the United States are still regularly subjected to it. Fast-food employees are especially vulnerable. A recent survey and report shows that McDonald’s has had an overwhelming problem with this issue.
According to The Nation, three out of four women who work at McDonald’s claim to have been sexually harassed. The litany of complaints started coming to light in the spring of 2019. By November, one former worker in Michigan said her manager behaved in a sexually inappropriate manner. She informed upper management that from 2017 to 2019, the man showed her his genitals and said offensive things.
In its research, The Nation found that the behaviors ranged from unwanted touching, sexual statements, gestures, and looking at them suggestively. Of those who took part in the survey, 29% said a co-worker requested sex from them. With 22%, sexual favors were asked for in exchange for more hours and potential promotion. Threats were issued for refusing sexual advances in 19%. Of that group, 12% stated they were sexually assaulted or raped.
McDonald’s would not comment on the survey since it was unaware of how the information was compiled, but it claims that training is provided to address and prevent harassment. These responses are troubling in myriad ways. If workers are sexually harassed or face other illegal behaviors in the workplace, there is an expectation that the employer will address it. For a huge company like McDonald’s, it is even more glaring that the behavior was so widespread with 75% of females claiming to have been harassed. When dealing with sexual harassment, it may be wise to discuss the case with experienced legal professionals to seek compensation for what occurred.