Workforce Diversity
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One of our guiding principles is to attract, retain, engage and develop a workforce that reflects our diverse customer base. That is why today approximately 42 percent of our employees are minorities and about 52 percent are women. Both percentages rank above average in our industry.
Diversity is a Strength
At Darden, we embrace and celebrate our individual differences. Our employees are valued from the start, where they share in a respectful and caring environment. We are strengthened by a diversity of perspectives, attitudes and ideas. We honor each other’s heritage and uniqueness, as well as those of our guests.
As a company, we are committed to helping all of our employees achieve their full potential. We look out for and look after one another. By embracing diversity, we are confident we can make a difference in the lives of everyone at Darden. To ensure we accomplish our goals for diversity and inclusion, we have set high standards. For example, all corporate officers are required to have at least one diversity objective as part of their Performance Management Process. And all employees are evaluated on their “respect and value” for diversity as part of regular performance reviews.
Building Capability & Capacity
Diversity Learning Experience
We know that instilling a culture of diversity starts at the top. That’s why we provide intense diversity learning experiences for all of our leaders. Darden’s best-in-class “Diversity Learning Experience” program offers a multi-layered curriculum that builds as individuals grow within the organization. At Darden, what you learn matters.
The program consists of three-and-a-half day sessions for officers, three-day sessions for our directors and two-day sessions for our more than 1,800 restaurant general managers and managing partners. Our restaurant managers experience an online diversity learning opportunity, followed by sessions facilitated by their leadership. The Diversity Learning Experience allows participants to explore pre-conceived assumptions and then learn how to engage in constructive discussions of differences. In this way, officers, general managers and managing partners, and restaurant managers are able to set an example for how all of our employees can use these skills for personal and professional growth.
Darden Employee Networks
Since Bill Darden opened his first restaurant, we have understood that diversity is more than just the right thing to do – it is critical to our future growth. We believe that a diverse workforce enables us to better serve our guests by drawing upon a multitude of perspectives.
Darden’s six employee networks are key enablers of our diversity goals. Our vision is to maintain strong committed networks that are engaged in supporting Darden’s business objectives and providing members the opportunity to learn, grow and network, as well as enhance their leadership skills.
Each network is supported by an Executive Advisory Committee made up of two cross-cultural individuals at the vice president level or above. More than 40 percent of our Restaurant Support Center employees in Orlando currently participate in one or more networks.
The networks are a place for emerging leaders to build and demonstrate capabilities. Through informal mentoring and structured events, the networks provide members with a host of valuable resources and opportunities to gain and adopt valuable life skills.
We know that instilling a culture of diversity starts at the top. That’s why we provide intense diversity learning experiences for all of our leaders. Darden’s best-in-class “Diversity Learning Experience” program offers a multi-layered curriculum that builds as individuals grow within the organization. At Darden, what you learn matters.
The program consists of three-and-a-half day sessions for officers, three-day sessions for our directors and two-day sessions for our more than 1,800 restaurant general managers and managing partners. Our restaurant managers experience an online diversity learning opportunity, followed by sessions facilitated by their leadership. The Diversity Learning Experience allows participants to explore pre-conceived assumptions and then learn how to engage in constructive discussions of differences. In this way, officers, general managers and managing partners, and restaurant managers are able to set an example for how all of our employees can use these skills for personal and professional growth.
Darden Employee Networks
Since Bill Darden opened his first restaurant, we have understood that diversity is more than just the right thing to do – it is critical to our future growth. We believe that a diverse workforce enables us to better serve our guests by drawing upon a multitude of perspectives.
Darden’s six employee networks are key enablers of our diversity goals. Our vision is to maintain strong committed networks that are engaged in supporting Darden’s business objectives and providing members the opportunity to learn, grow and network, as well as enhance their leadership skills.
Each network is supported by an Executive Advisory Committee made up of two cross-cultural individuals at the vice president level or above. More than 40 percent of our Restaurant Support Center employees in Orlando currently participate in one or more networks.
The networks are a place for emerging leaders to build and demonstrate capabilities. Through informal mentoring and structured events, the networks provide members with a host of valuable resources and opportunities to gain and adopt valuable life skills.
Darden's Six Networks
- The African-American Network serves as a resource for the personal and professional development of African-American employees, providing a supportive environment for new employees and enlightening the Darden community about African-American culture.
- The Asian-American Network promotes awareness and mutual understanding of Asian cultures at Darden that lead to a better working environment and advancing the professional development of Asian-American employees.
- The Family Network enhances the balance between family life and work life for parents at Darden.
- The Hispanic Network creates an environment where Darden’s Hispanic Network members feel welcomed and have an opportunity to develop and grow both personally and professionally and to be a resource for diverse guest insights.
- The Pride Alliance Network leverages the unique contributions of the LGBT community in a welcoming and inclusive environment to enhance Darden's culture.
- The Women’s Network recognizes, encourages, strengthens and celebrates the unique perspectives, intelligence and leadership skills women bring to the workplace.
