McDonald’s isn’t the first major restaurant to increase pay during the pandemic, although the announcement comes as the chain continues to receive pushback for some of its labor policies, as well as its generous exit package for former CEO Steve Easterbrook.
Its pay stance, in particular, has come under scrutiny over the last year as it settled a class-action lawsuit in April 2019 in California that involved its corporate stores and wage and hour violations. It’s also been a strong opponent of the proposed $15 minimum wage hike until this past August when it abandoned its fight.
