Friday, 17 January
Trans woman settles discrimination case against McDonalds
The lawsuit, filed by Kylie Divon, a transgender employee who has worked for McDonald’s since 2019, began with an incident in December 2023. Divon alleged she was denied access to the women’s changing room by a colleague who reportedly made discriminatory remarks. Despite raising the issue with management, Divon claimed her concerns were not adequately addressed.
Under the settlement, reached at Berlin’s labour court, Divon will leave the company at the end of April while remaining on paid leave until then. She will receive a taxable severance payment of €16,500. However, the court clarified that this does not constitute compensation for damages – a key element Divon had sought initially.
A representative for McDonald’s stated in court that the company had attempted to find solutions for the changing-room issue and had made offers to support Divon financially in her personal artistic endeavors. They also proposed donations to LGBTQ+ organisations to show solidarity.
Divon, however, dismissed these actions as PR-driven attempts to salvage the company’s image, citing a suggested collaborative video as an example.
