Workplace Diversity

Case Study – Workplace Diversity

1. What is the organization and how do they market themselves as a company that values diversity?

General Mills is the organization that I chose which markets themselves as a company of diversity. As you may already know, they are one of the world’s largest food companies in the United States. They are responsible for most of the food we eat for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. These brands include: Cheerios, Lucky Charms, Hamburger Helper, Green Giant, Yoplait, Pillsbury, Betty Crocker, Fruit Snacks etc. According to vice president, Ken Charles of Diversity and Inclusion, General Mills creates a diverse workforce by recruiting the best and brightest talent from all communities. They cultivate an inclusive environment by considering all dimensions of diversity – not just the primary areas like gender, race, and sexual orientation – but the cultural aspects which includes value, preferences, beliefs and communication styles. “Diversity plus inclusion equals business values,” says Charles.

2. What type of diversity programs and activities do they use?

General Mills develops their employees through participating in professional development trainings, mentoring programs, and employee networks. These actively engaged networks include: American Indian Council, Asian Heritage Network, Betty’s Family (LGBT Network), Black Champions Network, Hispanic Network, Middle East and North Africa Network, South Asian American Network, 10 Women’s Networks groups and a Women’s Officers group, and Multiple division and function-specific diversity and inclusion councils. They also provide their employees with advanced workplace flexibility and benefit options that meet the various needs and styles of the workforce and employee. These benefits include: parenting and adopting, domestic partner coverage, childcare resources and eldercare. They also have a wellness program that has been widely recognized as best-in-class.

3. Is this an...