McDonald's takes down controversial employee resource site

OAK PARK, Ill., Dec. 26 (UPI) -- Fast food chain McDonald's, based in Illinois, has taken down the employee resource website that advised workers not to eat fast food.

The McResource Line website, which was meant to offer helpful financial tips and other advice to McDonald's employees, was down Wednesday and replaced with a message from the company, CNN reported Thursday.

"A combination of factors has led us to re-evaluate and we've directed the vendor to take down the website. Between links to irrelevant or outdated information, along with outside groups taking elements out of context, this created unwarranted scrutiny and inappropriate commentary. None of this helps our McDonald's team members," the message read.

The company confirmed it had asked the third-party vendor responsible for the site to take it down.

"A combination of factors has led us to re-evaluate and we've directed the vendor to take down the website. Between links to irrelevant or outdated information, along with outside groups taking elements out of context, this created unwarranted scrutiny and inappropriate commentary. None of this helps our McDonald's team members," the company said in a statement.

Controversies surrounding the website include a recent posting advising employees that fast food meals are an "unhealthy choice" and earlier postings offering financial advice such as how to tip a pool cleaner, housekeeper or an au pair.