McDonald's Workers Speak Out on Sexual Harassment

McDonald’s workers are speaking out about sexual harassment and now the company is facing 25 new charges and complaints.   

“[I feel] a mixture of being scared and proud to speak up,” said plaintiff and former McDonald’s employee Brittany Hoyos. “And surprised that I overcame this to speak up.”

The ACLU, TIME’S UP, and labor group Fight for $15 announced 23 new complaints and two suits including allegations of sexual misconduct at corporate and franchise locations in twenty cities in May 2019.

“What motivates me is that I have daughters,” said plaintiff Latarsha Smith. “And I always told my daughters to stand up for what’s right. So I had to take my own advice and stand up for what was right.”

Since 2016, McDonald’s workers have filed more than 50 charges and suits nationwide. The reports from workers, including two then underage teens, details alleged groping, indecent exposure, requests for sex, and lewd comments by supervisors.

Hoyos, 19, says at age 16 she was sexually harassed at work, and faced retaliation for reporting her experiences in Tucson, Arizona. Her mother Maribel, also says she was harassed while working at McDonald’s.

McDonald’s told NowThis it will not comment directly on current litigation. In an open letter, McDonald’s CEO Steve Easterbrook said 90% of its operators and general managers took a course to spot, address, and prevent sexual harassment.