As someone who deeply values fairness and accountability in the workplace, I am compelled to raise awareness about the unsettling culture reportedly persisting at McDonald’s UK, under the leadership of CEO Lauren Schultz. Recently, as reported by the BBC, there were 75 allegations of harassment within McDonald’s UK. Astonishingly, only 47 of these were upheld, leaving 28 allegations unresolved. This gap in accountability raises serious questions about the culture within this globally recognized brand.

Despite Schultz's promises of action, there appears to be little change occurring on the restaurant floor. The measures taken so far, such as strengthening contractual ties and bringing in more teenagers, do little to address the root problem of workplace harassment. McDonald's UK leadership must do more than pay lip service to these serious issues—they must implement thorough DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks for all managerial positions at the restaurant level, ensuring that every workplace is safe and respectful for all employees and to prevent those with any criminal history of harassment and other offences.

Lauren Schultz was brought on board as a "turnaround" leader following the departure of her predecessor Alistair Macrow. However, it is clear that this promised transformation has not materialized. Instead, there is still a perception of a "hear nothing, see nothing, say nothing" culture. When Schultz reportedly dismissed recent allegations by stating, "I don't want to talk about the past," it sent a worrying message about the company's commitment to transparency and improvement.

It is time for McDonald’s Global CEO Chris Kempczinski to recognize the pressing need for significant organizational change. The lack of decisive and impactful action not only endangers employees but risks the reputation of the brand that so many families and individuals trust. True accountability requires leadership that acknowledges past failures, actively listens to employees, and implements substantive changes.

This petition is a call to action to demand that McDonald’s reassess its leadership at the UK level, ensure that credible allegations of harassment are addressed meaningfully, and establish a robust system of checks and balances to prevent future misconduct. This is not just about rectifying past mistakes but ensuring that McDonald's UK is a safe place for everyone to work.

Please join me in signing this petition to urge McDonald's to take responsibility and implement necessary changes for a better, safer workplace environment.