Diversity Programs in Chain Restaurants

Abstract

A pilot study of 16 food-service companies found mostly ill-defined goals for diversity-management programs, if such programs existed at all. Seven of the ten chains that have or will start a diversity program aim simply to improve employees' awareness of diversity issues. Only two mentioned organizational change as a goal. Similarly, time deadlines and reward systems are vague or nonexistent for most of the companies' diversity efforts. While the results of the study cannot be generalized, they raise the concern that most of these firms are not aware of the importance of fostering diversity in the workplace as a means of offsetting potential shortages in labor markets and encouraging a diverse customer pool. Most existing strategies for managing diversity are hobbled by inherent weaknesses, but a diversity program that adopts the best features of each strategy will create a workplace where all employees feel welcome.