TAIPEI: McDonald's has issued a public apology following criticism over its handling of a sexual assault case involving a 17-year-old former employee who reportedly committed suicide after being coerced into a sexual relationship with a supervisor. The apology comes amid growing public and legal pressure on the fast-food giant.
According to Focus Taiwan, the apology was issued after the father of the deceased employee publicly criticized McDonald's for failing to apologize directly to his family. The father spoke at a press event organized by the Nuan Nuan Sunshine Association, a support group for sexual assault victims, expressing his frustration at the company's delayed response. He highlighted that McDonald's only offered psychological support on December 26, long after his daughter's death in November of the previous year.
McDonald's Taiwan acknowledged its shortcomings in a media statement, admitting that it failed to take preventive measures and did not handle the situation adequately. The company emphasized that it had no intention of influencing the internal investigation conducted after the allegations surfaced in March 2024.
The case has attracted significant attention, with women's rights groups and NGOs calling for systemic changes. Chen Cheng-lung, from the Awakening Foundation, urged authorities to establish mechanisms for better supervision of such allegations. Lee Chia-ting from the Yoshi Care Association criticized McDonald's for not providing timely psychological support when the allegations were first reported.
The Taipei City's Department of Labor has fined McDonald's NT$1 million (approximately US$30,535) for violating gender equality laws related to the handling of the complaint. The supervisor accused in the case was dismissed in May, and the matter was referred to prosecutors, according to Taipei police.