Neuchâtel – His marriage cost him a promotion, his ex-boss will have to pay

The manager of a McDonald’s will have to put his hand in his pocket to compensate an ex-collaborator, as decided by the Civil Court of Neuchâtel. Guilty of gender discrimination, the franchisee had refused a promotion to the victim because of her upcoming marriage and an alleged risk of maternity. Supported by the Unia union, the former employee had resigned and then brought the case to court, which ruled in her favor at the start of last week. In addition to compensation of 6,000 francs, the franchisee will also have to pay his former collaborator 2,400 francs in costs.

After obtaining a promotion and accessing the function of trainer in 2019, the employee had expressed her interest, the following year, for a managerial position. His candidacy had not been accepted. The reason for his eviction was reported to him by the head of the franchise: “Jacques* (Editor’s note: the new manager of the fast-food subsidiary) is afraid, because of your marriage, that you will become pregnant.” A cavalier explanation to say the least which remained across the throat of the union member, who brought the case to justice.

Informed of the case, McDonald’s Switzerland communicated “to take the subject very to heart” and promises to “continue to improve training on the protection of personal integrity at all levels of function”. However, “as this is a working relationship between franchisee and collaborator, we cannot take a position,” wrote the fast-food giant.