TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — McDonald's Taiwan apologized Thursday to the family of an employee who killed herself after she was allegedly sexually assaulted by a supervisor.
In a statement, McDonald’s said the complainant reported the sexual assault to police on March 3 after resigning. Judicial proceedings have begun and the company has provided all relevant materials to the authorities.
On March 25, the complainant filed a separate sexual harassment complaint with McDonald’s. The company claimed its investigative team immediately opened an investigation.
Upon confirming the sexual harassment, the company said the accused was promptly dismissed.
At a press conference on Thursday, Nuan Nuan Sunshine Association said the case exposed the serious deficiencies in workplace sexual harassment prevention at large corporations, per Liberty Times. The association added the case brought to light the harm that sexual violence and abuse of power inflict on victims.
The group said that although Taiwan’s legislature has amended the Gender Equality in Employment Act to increase employer responsibilities, more than half of sexual violence victims still choose to remain silent. It said this highlights serious loopholes in the system.
McDonald’s, meanwhile, denied rumors the former restaurant assistant manager surnamed Lee (李) had a familial relationship with McDonald’s Taiwan Chair Lee Chang-lin (李昌霖). It also denied accusations the firm had downplayed the sexual assault.
McDonald’s acknowledged that it failed to prevent the incident and that its response was neither timely nor comprehensive. The company extended its “sincerest apologies to the victim and her family" and regretted “failing to live up to the public's high expectations.”
McDonald’s admitted that it has a responsibility to provide a safe environment for employees, consumers, and the public. It added that it encourages employees to speak out.
The fast food chain stressed that it would not tolerate workplace bullying or unlawful conduct.
