Last Updated on: May 2026
Our Conduct
Conflicts of Interest
Avoid letting personal relationships or financial interests compromise your ability to act in McDonald’s best interest and never use your position at McDonald’s for personal gain.
Report the following potential conflicts of interest:
Your relative or significant other is employed by McDonald’s or a McDonald’s franchisee
Your relative or significant other works for or has a business relationship with a competitor, supplier/vendor, contractor or consultant
You, a relative or significant other have an ownership interest in a food or drink establishment
You have an ownership interest, are employed by or perform Consulting or other services for a company other than McDonald’s
You, a relative or significant other were or are considered a government official
You serve on the board of a for-profit or a non-profit organisation
Disclose conflicts of interest by:
- Including it on your Conflict of Interest Disclosure
- Informing your manager
Disclosures are reviewed by Global Compliance or a designated contact in the markets who will determine the best course of action. This guidance must be followed to mitigate or eliminate the conflict.
Conflict of Interest Disclosures must be completed every year during the annual disclosure period and right when you become aware of a conflict. The conflict can be your own or that of someone else. Your conflict must be reported on your electronic Conflict of Interest Disclosure form and to your manager. To report a concern regarding someone else’s potential conflict of interest or for guidance in general, contact Global Compliance. You must also review your disclosure if your job situation changes to ensure it’s still accurate.
McDonald’s Officers
McDonald’s Officers must also adhere to the reporting obligations in the Standards of Business Conduct as well as the Escalation Protocols for Officers and disclose any actual or potential conflict of interest in the Related Person Policy.
Outside Employment and Investments
Outside employment or other business interests must not interfere with your primary responsibility to McDonald’s. You may also not accept or receive compensation from any supplier or business entity you do business with on behalf of McDonald’s. Be aware of potential conflicts from using confidential McDonald’s information when making personal investments in private and public companies.
Q&A
Maybe. Always notify your supervisor or the individual responsible for making purchasing decisions of any close relationship you have with any of our vendors/suppliers. You must also disclose this potential conflict of interest to Global Compliance.
Yes, it could. Even if you are able to keep your personal and financial dealings from affecting your judgement on behalf of the company, others may perceive that you are biased. Before entering into this business venture, discuss your plans with both your supervisor and Global Compliance.
Discrimination and Harassment
At McDonald's, we open our doors to everyone. We treat our customers, business partners and each other with dignity and respect.
McDonald’s employees have the right to feel comfortable and safe at work. All employees must treat each other with respect and dignity, and ensure that everyone’s work environment is free from harassment, intimidation or abuse (sexual or otherwise) or acts of threats of physical violence.
McDonald’s does not tolerate verbal or physical conduct that...
- demeans another person
- unreasonably interferes with another’s work performance
- creates an intimidating, abusive, hostile or offensive work environment
To raise a concern about a potential violation of this policy, the following resources are available to you:
For Restaurant Employees:
- Your restaurant’s General Manager or Ops consultant
- HR Consultant or HR manager for your restaurant
- HR Consulting (U.S. only)
- Business Integrity
For Corporate Staff:
- Your HR People Partner
- HR Consulting (U.S. only)
- Speak Up to HR/People Place (U.S. only)
- Business Integrity
- Global Compliance
- Member of your Market’s Legal Team
Dating
Employees with a direct or indirect reporting relationship to each other are prohibited from dating or having a sexual relationship. If you are in a relationship or plan to be in a relationship that could violate McDonald’s policy, you must contact your HR people partner or your supervisor immediately.
Food and Product Safety
Our safety and quality standards for food, beverages, toys and promotional products meet or exceed all appropriate government requirements. Additional measures that help protect our customers and ensure the safety of our local food supplies are also supported by the business.
Every McDonald’s employee is responsible for following all applicable safety and hygiene policies and procedures.
If you become aware of a problem with our food or products, immediately notify your supervisor or Global Compliance.
Political Activities
Each of us has the right to choose which political candidates and issues to support. Any political involvement must be conducted outside of work hours, at your expense, and you must make it clear that your views and actions are separate from McDonald’s.
Any political contribution made by the company must be approved in advance. Requests for political contributions by McDonald’s to a single candidate, party or ballot initiative that totals more than McDonald’s policy allows in a calendar year must be approved by McDonald’s business unit leads in the market where the contribution will be made.
Communicating with the Public
If you receive an inquiry about McDonald’s activities, results, plans or our position on an issue must refer the inquiry to the Communications Department or the area that handles these inquiries in your department. This applies to all public statements made on the company’s behalf.
Policies and Resources
McDonald's Global Conflict of Interest Policy
McDonald’s Corporation Policy Regarding Inside Information and Securities Trading
Guidelines Regarding Disclosures of Material Information
Dating, Nepotism and Fraternisation Policy (U.S.)
McDonald’s Policy Against Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation