Settling a Traumatic Case: McDonald’s Franchisee Agrees to Pay $4.35 Million

A McDonald’s franchisee has reached a settlement of $4.35 million in response to a lawsuit filed by a worker who alleged she was raped by her manager when she was only 14 years old in Pittsburgh.

Lawsuit Settlement

Last Monday, the case was settled, with the minor’s family filing the lawsuit against both McDonald’s and Rice Enterprises, the franchisee operating the restaurant where the incident occurred, back in September 2021.

Allegations and Incidents

The lawsuit accused McDonald’s and Rice Enterprises of neglecting to provide proper training on identifying and reporting sexual harassment, conducting background checks on the manager, and addressing complaints of sexual harassment and abuse made by minors.

Details of the Incident

The minor, whose identity has been kept anonymous, started working at the Pittsburgh restaurant in late 2020. Soon after, Walter Garner, her manager at the time, allegedly began sexually harassing her, escalating to inappropriate touching and eventually rape in February 2021.

Failure to Act

Despite complaints from the minor and two other female workers, the franchisee failed to take any action against Garner. Even after incidents were caught on camera, no disciplinary action was taken. Garner’s harassment continued until his arrest in May 2021.

Legal Proceedings

Garner pleaded guilty to charges including statutory sexual assault and indecent assault of a minor in October 2021 and was sentenced to a minimum of four years in prison. Rice Enterprises terminated Garner’s employment only after his arrest.

Settlement and Response

The settlement was agreed upon to spare the minor from the ordeal of a trial. Rice Enterprises emphasized its commitment to providing a safe workplace and stated that it conducts background checks on all management positions. McDonald’s expressed its commitment to ensuring a safe working environment for all employees.

Conclusion

The case highlights the importance of enforcing policies to prevent sexual harassment and ensuring the safety of employees, particularly minors, in the workplace. It serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance and swift action to address instances of misconduct and protect vulnerable individuals from harm.