McDonald's

McDonald's achieved a score of 85 on the Human Rights Campaign 2005 Corporate Equality Index which rates large corporations on policies that affect their gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employees, consumers and investors. The HRC Corporate Equality Index rates companies on a scale of 0 percent to 100 percent on factors. Human Rights Campaign, 09/18/2006

McDonald's donated $2 million to the Scripps Research Institute of La Jolla, California, raising doubts about the self-proclaimed independent research body’s ability to remain neutral. With the help of funding from McDonald’s, Scripps plans to release a study on the medical issue of child obesity. A press release issued by the Institute was headlined, "The Scripps Research Institute, McDonald's Align to Fight Childhood Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes," and describes McDonald's as "serving a variety of wholesome foods made from quality ingredients to millions of customers every day." It also states, "The relationship unites Scripps ... world-renowned scientists...with McDonald's 50-year legacy of supporting programs that promote children's health and wellness." According to the Institute's philanthropy guidelines, the $2 million from McDonald's has secured the company a seat on the Scripps' "Council of 100" and the benefit of "private sessions specifically designed for them with....[r]esearch scientists." The collaboration was deemed a “publicity stunt” by bloggers at CarbWire, a diet industry website. Reuters, 09/13/2006

In 2006, CEO James A. Skinner earned $12.7 million in total compensation including stock option grants from McDonald's. AFL-CIO, 04/05/2006

According to the Social Investment Research Analyst Network (SIRAN), ten years after the Federal Glass Ceiling Commission recommended disclosure of diversity data as a way to remove barriers and promote women and minority advancement, most US companies still fail to fully disclose EEO data to the public. McDonald's is listed as one of the companies that does not provide full public disclosure. The company provides full disclosure only upon request. Social Investment Research Analyst Network (SIRAN), 12/07/2005

In 2005 McDonald's was ordered to pay $490,000 in damages to a former McDonald's restaurant manager for forcing him out of his position when the company discovered he was HIV positive. Russell Rich had accrued 21 years of employment with McDonald's when, in 1997, he learned he was infected with HIV. The company pressured him to quit and he was subsequently left without health insurance and nearly died. Rich was awarded $5 million in a 2001 ruling on the case, but the decision was overturned owing to mistakes made by the previous judge. Associated Press, 07/07/2005

In early 2003, BanTransFats.com sued McDonald's for inadequately informing the public of delays in its plans to reduce the use of trans fatty acids (TFAs) in its products. Joseph effectively argues that McDonald's failed to make clear to customers that the type of oil used to fry its foods (which contains TFAs) had not been changed. The company agreed to settle the case by donating $7 million to the American Heart Association and spending an additional $1.5 million to make its trans fat reduction plan public. BanTransFats.com, 02/11/2005

In May 2003 , 24 groups were awarded $10 million in a settlement with McDonald's after the company apologized for not giving the public "complete" information about the use of animal fates to cook french fries. The court case was brought by vegetarians who claimed they were fooled into thinking the fries were free from animal products. In 1990, McDonald's announced that it would cook its fries in vegetable oil only. However, in 2001 it was discovered that in North America the fries are first cooked at plants using beef fat, and then frozen before being shipped to outlets for further frying. The company acknowledged that it may have confused customers over its practices. McDonald's was forced to state that in India, where Hindus and some Sikhs do not eat cows, its fries did not contain any beef. McDonald's offered 60% of the settlement to vegetarian groups, 20% to Hindu and Sikh groups, 10% to children's nutrition and hunger-relief efforts and 10% to promoting understanding of Kosher practices. BBC News, 05/20/2003

In 2003, McDonald's shareholders requested that the board of directors issue a report to shareholders by October 2003, reviewing McDonald’s animal welfare standards with the view to adopting and enforcing consistent animal welfare standards internationally. Focusing on the disparity between McDonald's US and UK policies governing animal welfare and other international operations, the shareholders noted: "Our company has not made known any global program. McDonalds.com makes no reference to improved conditions in the raising of any animals (other than laying hens), transportation of any animals, use of experts, any programs or evaluation methods, performance objectives,or any process, programs, plans, or progress outside the U.S." PETA, 05/01/2003