One of the largest fast-food chains, McDonald’s is currently under scrutiny after Steve Easterbrook, the company CEO, was expelled for being involved in a consensual affair with the employee of the very same fast-food restaurant. The CEO had been in charge of McDonald’s for a term for more than 4 years. After this unprecedented occurrence, experts have been weighing in on things that will follow for this fast-food service provider.
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Yale’s associate dean, mentioned that the replacement CEO for McDonald’s Chris Kempczinski has an amazingly impressive credential. He also mentioned that this is a perfect continuity for the company. The successor for this position has been tested very well to handle the situation and help recover the image of the company. In a short yet impressive career, Kempczinski has served as a critical member at P&G, Boston Consulting Group, Kraft, and many other senior roles. It was at PepsiCo where his profile soared to its heights. He was the head of beverages in North America for the uncarbonated section. Taking a look at all the verticals, the new McDonald’s CEO performed amazingly at PepsiCo and is now expected to show a similar stance with the new company.
However, the latest controversy has been taking a toll on the current image of this fast-food chain. Workplace romance is often criticized, but if the relationship is between two people of unequal power difference in the company, things can turn haywire. A difference in position and power creates a dynamic where relationships can never actually be consensual in true sense with the one with more power being in-charge and the other being exploited for better position promises.
Over the past three years, 50+ employees at McDonald’s have filed several cases alleging sexual harassment in the state courts or with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. This information was confirmed by a popular group for labor advocacy named Fight for $15.
In the month of August, this hamburger chain revealed its program that teaches around 850,000 employees in the United States to help recognize & report bullying and harassment. The franchisees that own around 95 percent of McDonald’s total 14000 restaurants in the U.S. aren’t actually required to provide the training. However, it is expected that the franchisees do so in order to help the employees tackle any workplace harassment.
