Congress Wants More Info on McDonald's Anti-Harassment Measures

(Bloomberg) -- Several dozen U.S. Representatives have sent a letter to McDonald’s Corp. Chief Executive Officer Steve Easterbrook asking for a progress report on the company’s efforts to combat what workers say is sexual harassment.

In a letter dated July 23, Rep. Katherine Clark of Massachusetts and about 50 other members of Congress, including 2020 presidential candidate Seth Moulton, want to know more about the company’s anti-harassment training program. McDonald’s announced new prevention measures in May and has encouraged franchisees to comply.

“We would appreciate additional information on the details of the program and how workers were consulted throughout the development process,” the letter says. “We would also like to know whether the program will apply to all locations.”

McDonald’s didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment on the letter.

The world’s biggest restaurant company is facing rising pressure from both workers and advocacy groups including the American Civil Liberties Union and Fight for $15, the union-backed group pushing for higher wages.

Workers have brought more than 50 lawsuits and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaints over the past three years. In June, a group of U.S. Senators, including 2020 candidates Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, called out McDonald’s over its handling of sexual harassment claims.

--With assistance from Josh Eidelson.

To contact the reporter on this story: Leslie Patton in Chicago at lpatton5@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Anne Riley Moffat at ariley17@bloomberg.net, Janet Paskin

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