McDonald’s is reaffirming its commitment to diversity and inclusion initiatives despite challenges from political figures and activists. The company has made some changes to its approach but insists that its core programs remain intact.
Earlier this year, McDonald’s moved away from specific workforce representation goals and a diversity pledge for its suppliers. Instead, it has adopted the term "inclusion" to better reflect its focus. However, the company continues to support internal affinity groups that connect employees with similar backgrounds and reports on workforce representation publicly.
Jordann Nunn, McDonald’s chief field people officer, emphasized that while the language around these initiatives has changed, the essence of the programs has not. Speaking at a human resources conference in Chicago, she stated, “We have no intention of doing that,” referring to any reduction in their commitment to inclusion.
This shift in McDonald’s strategy comes as many companies across the country have scaled back on diversity targets that were set after the murder of George Floyd in 2020. Factors such as executive orders from the Trump administration, which labeled diversity initiatives as "illegal DEI," and the Supreme Court’s recent ruling against affirmative action in college admissions have influenced this trend.
Despite these pressures, many companies, including McDonald’s, continue to recruit from diverse backgrounds. Nunn also noted that some McDonald’s locations have faced challenges related to immigration enforcement, with raids from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In response, McDonald’s is helping franchisees understand employee rights and has created a team to monitor immigration policy changes.
To support franchisees, McDonald’s has provided numerous optional webinars, which have seen high participation rates. This effort aims to ensure that franchise owners are well-prepared to handle any ICE-related situations.
Looking ahead, McDonald’s plans to hire 375,000 workers across the U.S. this summer, anticipating business growth as sales have improved since April. The company is also opening new locations and extending operating hours. Additionally, McDonald’s has implemented an automated hiring system that has significantly reduced the time it takes to hire new restaurant staff, from weeks down to just nine days. This system is set to be introduced in international markets as well.
As McDonald’s continues to adapt to the changing landscape of workforce management and inclusion, it remains focused on its core values and the well-being of its employees.