With more than 14,000 restaurants across the united States, this food service retailer works to make its employee policies reflective of the communities it serves. it has offered diversity education since the 1970s, and more than 80% of its managers participated in such training last year, focusing on courses that explore differences in communication across gender, age, racial and ethnic lines. Whether they work in the restaurants or the home office, managers know that their performance appraisals will reflect their ability to supervise a diverse workforce and support the advancement of multicultural women. intent on ramping up its efforts, the company recently upped its diversity budget by 20% and hired a new director of diversity education. It also expanded its existing web of leadership networks, affinity groups and career development classes.

Chairman & CEO James Skinner
VP & Global Chief Diversity Officer Patricia Harris

At McDonald’s, multicultural women represent…
39% multicultural women
10% of corporate executives
10% of senior managers
10% of the top earners
33% of the company hires
7% of the company promotions
34% of the company losses
20% of participants in mentoring programs
Not tracked participants in affinity groups

McDonald’s USA managers can take free accredited courses toward an associates’ degree at its famed Hamburger University, in Oak Brook, IL.

What do you talk about when you’re sharing an elevator with a company officer for eight long floors? Female managers at this restaurant titan know the answer to that question, thanks to a career development class that encourages them to rehearse their “elevator speech” and greet other opportunities with confidence. Asian, African-American and Hispanic employees also have programs dedicated to their specific advancement, with a focus on cultural issues. Multicultural women can learn how to achieve professional growth and improve their businesses at an annual symposium hosted by the company’s Women’s Leadership Network. And informal conclaves exist throughout the company’s employee networks, including all 22 of its corporate regions. Women of color can trade stories at events like the Sister to Sister workshop, run by the African-American affinity group, or take a day together, as Asian-American employees did at the end of a recent officers’ retreat. An impressive 43% of all restaurant franchisees are women or people of color, and the company is the nation’s largest African-American business.

Multicultural Women 15%
Chairman & CEO Jim Skinner
Chief Global Diversity Officer Patricia Harris

At McDonald’s USA, multicultural women represent…
8% of corporate executives
9% of senior managers
8% of the top earners
15% of the company hires
15% of the company losses
18% of participants in mentoring programs
Not tracked % of participants in career counseling programs

Hourly employees in McDonald’s corporate office receive a paid day off each year to volunteer for the organization of their choice.

The Golden Arches has long been a fun place to take the family, but its benefits make it a good place to raise kids, too. From its restaurant counters to its head offices, hourly employees who work just 20 hours per week can apply for the company’s 401(k), profit-sharing, and stock purchase programs and receive medical, dental and vision insurance. (Free physicals, well-baby care and vaccinations for little ones make the health plan a good bet.) If they become pregnant, these hourly employees can take at least 12 job-guaranteed weeks off at 50% of pay. And when their kids turn into toddlers, parents become eligible for 10% discounts at three national child-care chains. Parents of teens, meanwhile, can encourage their kids to apply for the company’s $5,000 college scholarships. Mentoring and classroom training are available to all employees who complete annual development plans, and those interested in leadership positions can take restaurant management coursework or earn an associate’s degree through the famed Hamburger University, in Oak Brook, IL. Restaurant swing managers, maintenance workers and corporate hourly workers rack up the benefits, with an adoption assistance plan that covers up to $2,500 annually. If these workers go back to school, the company will reimburse their expenses up to $5,250 ($2,000 for part-timers); they also receive two weeks of paid vacation each year, with an eight-week paid sabbatical every ten years. Come summer, those who work at the corporate office may leave at 1:00 p.m. on Fridays, while flextime and compressed hours are available year-round.

Hourly Workers 90%

Chairman & CEO Jim Skinner

Executive VP Rich Floersch

Hourly workers that are female 62%

Work hours required for family health insurance 20

Job skills training for hourly employees Yes

Average paid sick leave taken by hourly workers Not tracked

Average paid vacation leave taken by hourly workers 10 days

Job-guaranteed maternity leave for hourly workers 12 weeks

Paid maternity leave for hourly workers 12 weeks at partial pay