25 workers file sexual harassment claims against McDonald’s

Spurred on by the #TimesUp and #MeToo movements, 20 workers filed sexual harassment claims against the company with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on Tuesday, according to The Washington Post, citing the labor group Fight For $15. Other employees have filed legal action against McDonald's.

The latest complaints follow a protest over the same issues last fall. In recent years, some 50 current and former employees have filed claims against the Chicago-based company, according to Fight for $15.

The complaints include allegations of groping, indecent exposure, sexual propositions and lewd comments, according to the Post, and have reportedly occurred at both franchise restaurants in at least 20 cities and at corporate offices.

McDonald's spokeswoman Terry Hickey told PBS that there is "no place for harassment and discrimination of any kind" in the workplace.

“McDonald’s Corporation takes allegations of sexual harassment very seriously and are confident our independent franchisees who own and operate approximately 90 percent of our 14,000 U.S. restaurants will do the same,” Hickey said.

The company's chief executive, Steve Easterbrook, told Illinois' U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth in a letter Monday that McDonald's "is committed to creating and sustaining a culture of trust where employees feel safe," the Post reported.

Easterbrook said the company has provided training to general managers and restaurant owners and has updated its policies to inform workers about their rights. He said McDonald’s plans to train its workers on harassment and open a complaint hotline.