Abuse at McDonalds v the Huw Edwards story

[Pandor]

It was so distressing this morning to read the story on the BBC uncovering sexual abuse, harassment, bullying and racism that seems to be widespread in McDonalds restaurants, and involves children as young as 16.

This is one of the biggest brands in the world, is “family friendly” and likely to employ a relatively large percentage of kids and young adults here in the UK. I searched and couldn’t find a single thread about it - it feels like it has landed with a collective shrug.

I can’t help but think of the reaction around the Huw Edwards story and compare the two. A story involving a single reasonably well known person and the BBC whipped up so much interest and outrage, which was presented as being all about concern for victims.

There appear to be so many more victims here who have spoken out (100 came forward), so young, so many potential offenders out there still doing this - but it is greeted with what feels like echoing silence.

it’s not really about victims at all is it? It’s just celebrity and culture wars that get all the attention and outrage.

Take those elements away and people just shrug and move on with their day.

The McDonald's story (sadly) doesn't come as a surprise. It's rife in that type of work.
Hopefully it's just enough to give management amd franchisee owners a kick up the backside.

The HE story was a bit more of a shock.

I feel your sense of despair and agree with you. I do wonder when the vast majority of normal people are going to stand up and say 'no' to this sort of crap.

Let's hope the McDonald's story gains more ground in the next few days. However, I do think the HE story was justified - he was paid more in one year from licence fees than many people make in a lifetime. That level of reward comes with responsibility. He abused his power and should suffer consequences for doing so.

We've already had so many scandals and inquiries into the most horrendous, extreme child abuse over many years (e.g. Rotherham) and recommendations which seem to never be acted on for very long if at all.

And safeguarding is being dismantled all over the place. It's depressing.

What we need is a return to proper safeguarding and a culture where speaking up doesn't cost you your job, but we don't have that at the moment. Those poor kids. It won't just be McDonalds though, I suspect this sort of working culture is quite widespread.

I used to think about all this as a DV advisor. I mean case after case after case.

The police started getting it, then the firemen, then radio and tv, now McDs.

But its everywhere. If you opened up the 'banter' threads from most employers, youd find this shit.

Its us. It's the people, and in my view, its toxic patriarchy coming into focus. Its rife.

Totally agree OP. Good point well made.

it just feels so depressing. I keep thinking of kids taking their first step into the world of work, getting a job in a place that they may associate with happy times, fun with friends, parties they may have been to there over the years - and then this is what they find there.

Partly it's the way a sorry develops, if you have a story that is reporting something that has happened (eg a report has been released) that is less interesting than a 'developing' story which changes day to day. And the press were the creators of the Huw Edward thing so pushed it hard. But yes, it's depressing.

Does this happen in 'every' workplace? What about those that are mainly female?

McDonald's isn't a homogeneous organisation, it's mostly franchisees that run stores. As each store has dozens of employees and some franchisees have several stores, it would be more helpful to know if it's a single franchise operator or connected to McDonald's themselves? My dd worked for them in the past and they were very good employers, very valued up about mental health support and asd (she is autistic) very kind managers and certainly no racism, most staff including managers were not white quite frankly (easiest way to put it). The youngsters were treated very well in her experience, far better than her previous roles