This article discusses
workplace diversity with special reference to
KFC
The USA has the world’s most diverse workforce.
Within the multifarious communities inhabiting
the USA, there are a variety of cultures, religions,
languages and dialects. All these variations pose
a challenge for HR departments. Managers and other
professionals within the organization have a responsibility
to develop polices and practices that address
the values, skills and initiatives of a varied
workforce. (Werther & Davis, 2000).
Based in Louisville, Kentucky and founded by Colonel
Harlan Sanders in 1932, KFC Corporation is one
of the world's most popular chicken restaurant
chains, specializing in chicken based servings.
The parent company, Yum Brands Inc is the world's
largest restaurant system with over 32,500 KFC,
A&W All-American Food, Taco Bell, Long John
Silver's and Pizza Hut restaurants in more than
100 countries and territories. Every day, nearly
eight million customers are served around the
world. Being an international food chain, KFC
and its franchisees are well aware of the differing
tastes and values of their diverse customers and
clientele. Thus at KFC, customers around the globe
also enjoy more than 300 other products- from
a Chunky Chicken Pot Pie in the United States
to a salmon sandwich in Japan. (KFC Website, 2004)
The management of KFC is dedicated to building
caring and supportive communities, where its workforce
can work and live in harmony and understanding.
KFC’s active participation in community
activities underlines the importance it attaches
to this aspect of society.
Following are some of KFC’s diversity initiatives
in the USA: (KFC Website, 2004)
KFC has established a national children’s
charity called Colonel’s Kids. This is a
step towards combating the childcare crisis. Aside
from parents, child care providers play a crucial
role in the development of a child. The quality
of a child’s emotional, social and intellectual
development depends to a large extent, on the
degree and type of interaction it has with its
parents and caretakers. The childcare crises is
one that has evolved out of the necessity of dual
income families working to make ends meet and
provide a good lifestyle for their children. Childcare
support in the workplace has become increasingly
important. Finding affordable childcare is a great
challenge for American families,
who are increasingly working flexible and non-traditional
hours. Casper, Hawkins & O’Connell found
in 1991 that nearly five million children in America
are home without supervision during juvenile crime
hours. (Who’s Minding the Kids? Childcare
Arrangements: Fall 1991). The purpose of the Colonel
Kids Charity is to make available affordable childcare
to families living below the poverty line. Childcare
costs typically consume a quarter of the monthly
income of a poor family. KFC has teamed up with
YMCA Childcare and the Entertainment Industry
Foundation to raise money and media support for
this project. The Colonel’s Kids first sponsored
child care facility was opened in Iowa in August
2001 through a private donation.
The Colonel’s Way Award is an award for
seniors who despite their age, have done remarkable
things in service of the community. The award
was started in 1995 and to date, has more than
2000 recipients. Names of the recipients and details
of the projects they have undertaken are published
on KFC’s website as an impetus for more
senior citizens to give back to the community
the benefit of their skills and experience.
KFC has also established the United Negro Fund
Scholars Program to reach its financially disadvantaged
employees wanting to pursue an education i.e.
entry level college freshmen pursuing degrees
in Business Management, Computer Science or Liberal
Arts.
Qualified applicants must have a minimum of one
year service with KFC, be an employee in good
standing, have maintained a minimum 3.0 grade
point average, and have an unmet financial need.
The KFC/UNCF scholarship covers the average cost
of tuition, fees, books, and room and board. KFC
provides one scholarship per year to eligible
students attending nominated UNCF schools. This
scholarship is available to both corporate and
franchise employees.
All KFC outlets including their suppliers and
franchisees are required to abide by all local
state and federal laws regarding wages and benefits,
workmen's compensation, working hours, equal opportunity,
worker and product safety.
This includes non discrimination in hiring and
employment, avoidance of forced and child labor,
and proper notification to employees of the policies
being followed. KFC and its suppliers are open
to Audit and Inspections by state and local inspection
agencies to ensure that these practices are being
followed. (KFC Website, 2004)
Are these practices and initiatives effective?
One certainly thinks so. By following such practices,
KFC is providing a just and equitable environment
for work and through its diversity programs, giving
back to the community at various levels. Doing
business internationally means taking stock of
the local population and molding your menus and
work practices to suit local tastes, laws and
regulations. The best maxim here is: Think Globally,
Act Locally.
KFC’s parent company, Yum Brands Inc has
franchise recruiters to help new recruits through
the franchise process. This includes all aspects
from qualification to registration to site identification.
Franchise business coaches and leaders provide
business insight and assistance in operating the
business. Management Team Training is arranged
for each franchisee on a regional basis. Yum University,
the training and development arm of Yum Brands
provides global support for the education and
institutionalization of franchisee workers. There
is a 6-8 weeks training for key restaurant personnel,
for a single brand. There is assistance for everything
from building plans to interior design to equipment/
cooking specifications and costing. The company
even assists in supply chain management services.
(KFC- Kentucky Fried Chicken Franchises, 2004)
Previously there has been some outcry mainly from
animal rights activists about KFC’s methods
of inhumanely slaughtering chickens, its crude
methods of cooking and concern about its quality
of supplies etc. So in 2000, KFC formally adopted
a comprehensive animal standards policy, with
guidelines available for education and training
of poultry supplier personnel, breeding, hatchery
operations, raising, proper feeding and nutrition,
catching, stunning, slaughtering and transport
of chickens.
(KFC Poultry Welfare Guide, 2004) KFC is a successful
business enterprise with more than 11,000 restaurants
in more than 80 countries and territories around
the world. More than 50 years down the road, the
legacy of Colonel Sanders still lives on.
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