BOSSES at McDonald’s have been forced to apologise after more than 100 workers came forward to reveal sexual harassment, assaults, racism and bullying at the fast food chain.

Allegations uncovered in a BBC investigation include one 17-year-old employee being subjected to racial abuse.

Another 17-year-old worker told of being groped and choked by her manager.

Both workers accuse McDonald’s bosses of not taking the situation seriously, in some cases simply moving predators to different restaurants.

The allegations echo the Bakers Food and Allied Food Workers’ Union’s (BFAWU) findings when, four years ago, it uncovered more than 1,000 instances of sexual harassment at the chain.

BFAWU general secretary Sarah Woolley called the latest findings “shocking” and said that McDonald’s workers should join the union.

McDonald’s was then investigated by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), and a legally binding agreement between them committing it to take steps to deal with harassment was signed in February this year.

McDonald’s UK and Ireland chief executive Alistair Macrow said: “There are clearly instances where we have fallen short and for that we deeply apologise.

“There is simply no place for harassment, abuse, or discrimination of any kind at McDonald’s, and we will investigate all allegations brought to us, and all proven breaches of our code of conduct will be met with the most severe measures we can legally impose, up to and including dismissal.”

The EHRC said: “Under the Equality Act 2010, employers are legally responsible if an employee is sexually harassed at work by another employee, if the employer has not taken all possible steps to prevent it from happening.” 

“We have set up a confidential email hotline for those affected.

“Anyone who is concerned about incidents of harassment in McDonald’s can report it to [email protected]”