Day 143 - 27 Jun 95 - Page 31
1 something like that.
2
3 Q. So, effectively, they are forced to eat McDonald's meals?
4 A. Oh, you are getting beyond what I can talk about. I am
5 not familiar with the practice of employee meals in London,
6 in England, and I would suggest, I think, Sid has
7 testified, I am assuming you have discussed the English
8 practice with him and what their reasons are and what their
9 reasons are not in this area. It is not for me; I do not
10 get into that kind of thing.
11
12 MR. MORRIS: What about the lack of overtime paid by the UK
13 Company to its employees? Is that something which you have
14 brought up with them?
15 A. No, that would be their decision.
16
17 Q. You would not look into that?
18 A. No. If you recall, each country is operated by a
19 Managing Director. The Managing Director is expected to
20 fit into the laws and customs of the country, and from
21 there they are expected to manage the operation and do what
22 they think is fit and reasonable and appropriate.
23
24 Q. If the custom in the country is that overtime should be
25 paid and McDonald's are not paying overtime, would that
26 concern you, that one of your subsidiaries was going
27 against the culture of a country?
28 A. There are things that are dictated by laws. There are
29 things that are dictated by culture. They can best choose
30 which path to follow. I am not going to substitute an
31 American's judgment for another country's judgment.
32
33 MR. JUSTICE BELL: Mr. Morris, this is not directed at you
34 asking Mr. Stein any more questions on it, but do not
35 assume that I know that it is customary to pay overtime
36 rates any longer in this country. I know perfectly well
37 that it was at one time. I know, no doubt, some employers
38 do, no doubt some do not. I know that some employers have
39 employees working very long hours at times, do not pay them
40 any extra money at all, but they take it off as extra
41 leave.
42
43 In other words, you work an extra six hours one week, you
44 may work an extra six hours 10 weeks in a row, then you
45 have 60 hours which is, say, eight days which is added to
46 your annual leave. So, do not assume that -- ask a witness
47 in due course if they can help on what the custom is
48 nowadays.
49
50 MR. MORRIS: If you can get out the Defendants bundle kingfisher
51 4? Sorry, one question before we go to that file.
52
53 MR. JUSTICE BELL: Ask your question.
54
55 MR. MORRIS: So your flying visits around the world to do with
56 Human Resources do not extend to advising McDonald's in
57 those countries that they should be concerned about
58 employee rights that might be not available in those
59 countries?
60 A. My Lord -----
