Diversity and Discrimination in the Restaurant Industry

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Diversity and Discrimination in the Restaurant
Industry

• By Jorgen Gilbertson

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Quick Overview

• 4 Restaurant firms evaluated
• McDonalds
• Starbucks
• Cracker Barrel
• Dennys

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The Good

• McDonalds
• Known for diverse management
• Implements diversity seminars
• Starbucks
• Emphasis on hiring those who are disabled
• Accommodating to their disabled employees

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The Bad

• Dennys
• Currently defending disability lawsuit
• Past of non-compliance to discrimination laws

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The Ugly

• Cracker Barrel
• Sued for racial discrimination and sexual
  harassment

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Discussion Prompt 1

• Discuss why the various diversity efforts of
  McDonalds and Starbucks are good business
  practices.
• Discriminatory awareness helps protect the
  restaurant from timely and costly lawsuits
• Ethical responsibility to their employees
• Positive national recognition for hiring and
  business practices.
• Hollins v. Delta Airlines- Despite discriminatory
  behavior to an employee, Delta Airlines took
  action immediately, and because of this won the
  lawsuit.

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Discussion Prompt 2

• Describe what HR efforts are needed by employers
  such as Cracker Barrel and Dennys to reduce
  discrimination charges and complaints when they
  occur in individuals locations.
• Documentation, documentation, documentation
• Hollins v. Delta Airlines
• More diverse management (more females/minorities)
• Most often sexual harassment comes from a male
  superior to a female who is in his power
  structure
• Disability awareness training