--- title: Bryce Covert on McDonald's and its sexual harassment issues description: The America’s Work Force Union Podcast is the nation’s premier daily labor program. Bryce Covert from The Nation joined us on today’s show. image: https://awf.labortools.com/hubfs/AWF-blog-image-template_nationblue.jpg --- 1 min read Season 6, Episode 99 # Bryce Covert on McDonald's and its sexual harassment issues [ awfblog ](https://awf.labortools.com/listen/author/awfblog) May 19, 2025 [America's Work Force Union Podcast](https://awf.labortools.com/listen/tag/americas-work-force-union-podcast) [Health, Welfare, and Safety](https://awf.labortools.com/listen/tag/health-welfare-and-safety) [AWF](https://awf.labortools.com/listen/tag/awf) [The Nation](https://awf.labortools.com/listen/tag/the-nation) ![The-Nation-Logo-Square@2x](https://awf.labortools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AmericasWorkForce/podcast%20logos/The-Nation-Logo-Square@2x.png?width=801&height=801&name=The-Nation-Logo-Square@2x.png)   Guest Name: --- Bryce Covert Guest Website: --- [The Nation](https://www.thenation.com/)  Guest Social Media: --- [ Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/TheNationMagazine/) [ Twitter](https://twitter.com/thenation) [ YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/c/thenation) [ LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-nation/) Supportive Documents: --- Bryce Covert, contributing writer at [The Nation](https://www.thenation.com/), appeared on the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss her recent [article](https://www.thenation.com/article/society/mcdonalds-sexual-harassment/) that investigated sexual harassment claims at McDonald's. Covert's investigation for the article revealed that despite McDonald's promises to address sexual harassment through new global brand standards, several issues remain. Many employees report that harassment continues, with little to no action taken against perpetrators. Covert discussed the issues with the company's policies, which she said lack specificity and enforcement, leaving victims vulnerable and without recourse. A significant challenge in addressing harassment at McDonald's is its franchise model, which accounts for about 90 percent of its locations. Covert explained that while McDonald's corporate sets strict operational guidelines, it often distances itself from accountability for harassment incidents at franchise locations. This disconnect allows franchisees to evade responsibility, perpetuating a culture where harassment can thrive unchecked, she said. Finally, Covert shared stories from employees who faced retaliation after reporting harassment, further illustrating the hostile environment within McDonald's. Many workers, particularly the young and inexperienced, are unaware of their rights and fear speaking out. Covert believes McDonald's must implement comprehensive training and transparent reporting processes to create a safer workplace for all employees. Listen to the full episode above to learn more about the alleged harassment issues. --- America’s Work Force is the only daily labor podcast in the US and has been on the air since 1993, supplying listeners with useful, relevant input into their daily lives through fact-finding features, in-depth interviews, informative news segments and practical consumer reports. America’s Work Force is committed to providing an accessible venue in which America's workers and their families can hear discussion on important, relevant topics such as employment, healthcare, legislative action, labor-management relations, corporate practices, finances, local and national politics, consumer reports and labor issues. America’s Work Force Union Podcast is brought to you in part by our sponsors: AFL-CIO, American Federation of Government Employees, American Federation of Musicians Local 4, Alliance for American Manufacturing, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes-IBT, Boyd Watterson, Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, Communication Workers of America, Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust, International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local 50, International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Crafts, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 6, Ironworkers Great Lakes District Council, Melwood, The Labor Citizen newspaper, Laborers International Union of North America, The National Labor Office of Blue Cross and Blue Shield, North Coast Area Labor Federation, Ohio Federation of Teachers, United Labor Agency, United Steelworkers. - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ##### SUBSCRIBE ON: --- [![Group 342](https://awf.labortools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AmericasWorkForce/podcast%20logos/Apple%20Podcasts%20Button-Dark.png?width=171&name=Apple%20Podcasts%20Button-Dark.png)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/americas-work-force-union-podcast/id1511224946) [![Group 341](https://awf.labortools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AmericasWorkForce/podcast%20logos/Spotify%20Button-Dark.png?width=100&name=Spotify%20Button-Dark.png)](https://open.spotify.com/show/0GzkHxFSBxiXvuX0lZpQBn) [![Group 343](https://awf.labortools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Group%20343.png?width=135&name=Group%20343.png)](https://www.iheart.com/podcast/americas-work-force-union-podcast-62567752/) [![Group 339](https://awf.labortools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Group%20339.png?width=110&name=Group%20339.png)](https://www.pandora.com/podcast/americas-work-force-union-podcast/PC:47979) [![Group 397](https://awf.labortools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Group%20397.png?width=125&name=Group%20397.png)](https://americasworkforceradiopodcast.podbean.com/) [![Group 397](https://awf.labortools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/YouTube_button.png?width=125&name=YouTube_button.png)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuQo1PAtRAel1_tS7-PQOkA)   #### [Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen on the Union Pacific Merger Threat](https://awf.labortools.com/listen/brotherhood-of-railroad-signalmen-on-the-union-pacific-merger-threat) : July 6, 2026 # Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen on the Union Pacific Merger Threat Brandon Elvey, Secretary-Treasurer of the [Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen](https://www.brs.org/),... 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