McDonald’s sexual harassment $1.5M class action settlement

McDonald’s has agreed to a $1.5 million settlement to resolve claims Michigan shift manager Shawn Banks sexually harassed female employees.

The settlement benefits female McDonald’s employees who worked in a position below assistant manager and worked at least one shift with Shawn Banks at the McDonald’s at 730 N. Cedar St. in Mason, Michigan, since Nov. 12, 2016. Eligible Class Members should have received a notice of the settlement through the mail.

McDonald’s is a well-known fast food restaurant with franchised locations all over the world. 

However, according to the fast food chain’s employees, McDonald’s fails to adequately respond to sexual violence in its stores. In October 2021, McDonald’s employees in at least 10 cities walked out of their locations to protest sexual harassment in the workplace, Forbes reported.

Employees have also taken legal action against the fast food chain for its alleged mishandling of workplace sexual harassment.

According to one class action lawsuit from employees in Mason, shift manager Shawn Banks regularly harassed female employees with sexual comments and insults. Upper management at the location allegedly allowed this behavior to continue without stepping in, resulting in a toxic and unsafe work environment.

After suffering through this harassment, plaintiffs took legal action against McDonald’s, the Michigan location’s franchise company, and other defendants. According to the plaintiffs, these defendants violated Title VII of the federal Civil Rights Act and Michigan’s Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act.

McDonald’s, the location’s franchisee and other defendants in the case haven’t admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to resolve these allegations with a $1.5 million settlement deal.

“I hope those who were abused will get the compensation they deserve, but I also hope McDonald’s will listen to survivors, and do everything possible to prevent sexual harassment in its restaurants,” the class action plaintiff said in a statement to the New York Post.

Under the terms of the settlement, class members will receive a cash payment based on their experience with Banks at the Michigan McDonald’s location. 

Each claimant will be awarded points based on their experiences: A woman who worked over 100 shifts with Banks will receive four points. Those who worked 51 to 99 shifts will receive three points, those who worked 11 to 50 shifts will receive two points, and those who worked one to 10 shifts will receive one point. Those who were inappropriately touched by Banks, were coerced into sexual relations with Banks, or who were forced to quit will receive two points. 

Based on the number of points each claimant is awarded, they will receive a proportional share of the settlement fund. Women with a larger number of points will be awarded a larger share of the net settlement fund. 

No payment estimates are available.

The deadline for exclusion and objection is July 2, 2022. 

The final approval hearing for the McDonald’s harassment settlement is scheduled for Aug. 16, 2022.

In order to receive a payment from the settlement, class members must submit a valid claim form by July 2, 2022.

Who’s Eligible

The settlement benefits female McDonald’s employees who worked in a position below assistant manager and worked at least one shift with Shawn Banks at the McDonald’s at 730 N. Cedar St. in Mason, Michigan, since Nov. 12, 2016. Eligible Class Members should have received a notice of the settlement through the mail.

Potential Award

Varies

Proof of Purchase

No proof of purchase applicable

Claim Form

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Claim Form Deadline

07/02/2022

Case Name

Jenna Ries, et al. v. McDonald’s USA LLC, et al., Case No. 1:20-CV-00002-HYJ-RSK in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan.

Final Hearing

08/16/2022

Settlement Website

McDonaldsMasonSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Ries v. McDonald’s Claims Administrator
P.O Box 10269
Tallahassee, FL 32302-2269
claims@ssiclaims.com
833-594-2013

Class Counsel

Darcie R. Brault
MCKNIGHT CANZANO SMITH RADTKE & BRAULT PC

Eve H. Cervantez
ALTSHULER BERZON LLP

Gillian Thomas
AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION

Defense Counsel

C. Thomas Ludden
LIPSON NEILSON PC