McDonald’s staff in Sheffield ‘fearful’ of returning to work during coronavirus pandemic

Low paid fast-food workers in Sheffield are being put at risk by the rush to reopen restaurants amid the coronavirus pandemic, a campaign group has claimed.
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The claims have been made as several fast-food chains in the city plan to reopen, with burger giant McDonald’s hoping to do so next Tuesday (June 2).

However, campaign group Sheffield Needs A Pay Rise say restaurant staff have contacted them with concerns about their own health and safety, as well as that of their families and wider community.

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The company have said strict procedures to ensure social distancing will be enforced and that the health and safety of their staff and customers is paramount.

But two Sheffield McDonald’s workers who spoke on condition of anonymity said they had serious concerns about returning to work on Tuesday.

One said: “It has affected my mental health as I’m fearful to return to work and catch the virus, passing it onto my family members. I am absolutely terrified to go back to work.”

“I do not think it’s safe to open up as I doubt they’ll be able to stick to the new rules and regulations. I honestly don’t think McDonald’s have actually taken us workers into account or they wouldn’t be opening back up just yet. They are more bothered about profits.”

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Another added: “I feel nervous about going back to work as it seems like it’s the government and businesses priority rather than prioritising our well being.”

There are currently 10 McDonald's in the Sheffield area.There are currently 10 McDonald's in the Sheffield area.
There are currently 10 McDonald's in the Sheffield area.

Sheffield Needs a Pay Rise said that most of the workers only qualified statutory sick pay of £95.85 per week - which they say is not even enough to afford basics such as rent, bills and food.

The campaign is being supported by Sheffield Heeley MP Louise Haigh who said workers being asked to go back to potentially unsafe working environments desperately needed union protection.

Any workers in Sheffield concerned about health and safety at work, or who want to get involved in the campaign, can get in touch via the Facebook page or @SheffPayRise on Twitter.

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A spokesperson for McDonald’s said: “At all points, in both the initial decision to close our restaurants, and now reopening, we have put our people at the heart of the decisions we’ve made.

“In order for us to reopen, the most important criteria has been our people’s wellbeing and creating the right environment for them to return to work.

“That is why before any restaurant reopens, franchisees and managers will conduct meetings with members of their teams to discuss the re-opening plans, and importantly share the new safety measures that will be in place in restaurants to help them feel comfortable returning to work.

“We have always operated an open-door policy, and that is now more important than ever.

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“The primary focus of our initial restaurant tests was on the safety of our people and our customers, and how we can adapt our operations.

Following the tests we have put a number of safety and wellbeing measures into all restaurants including: fewer people in the kitchen and service areas, serving a reduced menu over reduced hours; the use of contactless thermometers, with temperatures checked on arrival at work; perspex screens in key locations in the kitchen and service areas; protective equipment for our people including gloves for customer and courier facing positions and face coverings; and additional training on cleanliness practices, including increased frequency of handwashing and extra sanitising of touch points around the restaurant.

“We are deliberately taking our time – to ensure we get this right. That’s why we want to continue to listen and learn from what our teams are telling us as we open slowly.”