The golden arches of McDonald’s at an outlet in Westbury, New York.
Shovel stand | E + | Getty Images
McDonald’s is taking steps to increase the number of women and historically underrepresented groups in its senior leadership ranks.
By 2025, the company aims for senior directors or senior leadership roles to be at least 35% of groups historically underrepresented, 6% higher than baseline data in 2020, and at least 45% composed of women, with 8% more than in 2020. McDonald’s seeks by 2030 total gender parity for leadership positions.
According to the company’s 2018 data submitted to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, women were responsible for 32% of its executives at executive or senior level. About 33% of executives at executive or senior level are identified as Black, Hispanic or Asian.
Executive vice presidents will have linked their remuneration to the achievement of annual goals. McDonald’s board endorsed the targets, which apply at the company’s highest levels, including CEO Chris Kempczinski.
From 2021, 15% of executive bonuses will be based on human capital criteria. System-wide sales growth and growth in operating income will account for 42.5% of the incentive plans.
Members of the senior leadership team are also taking steps to create diverse candidates for all open roles, to become actively involved in internal and external diversity groups and to guide and sponsor more women and minorities.
In July, following international protests fighting racism and police brutality, McDonald’s announced plans to commit to diversity and inclusion. By November, the company had appointed Reggie Miller as chief diversity officer.
Over the past year, McDonald’s has faced accusations of racism at all levels of the company. Two black executives sued the company in January 2020, claiming that it was slashing the advertising of black customers and classifying the black franchisees’ stores more harshly than the locations of white entrepreneurs. The company is also facing three lawsuits from current and former black franchisees, claiming they were sent to downtown malls that had lower sales and were then evicted.
At least 50 of its restaurant workers have lodged complaints about sexual harassment with the EEOC.