McDonald's shines for the opportunities it offers female employees: Big rise in percentage of women in management

Abstract

Purpose

Examines some of the reasons that the percentage of women in management jobs has risen at McDonald's.

Design/methodology/approach

Highlights the importance, among other initiatives, of the Women's Leadership Development program and the Women's Leadership Network.

Findings

Explains that the former concentrates on: building a deeper awareness of current strengths; gaining insights and knowledge of areas where skills can be further enhanced; developing leadership skills and personal impact for more effective stakeholder relationships; constructing a stronger leadership culture in female managers at grade 3 and above and broadening the talent pool; acknowledging and supporting gender diversity at senior-management level; and equipping emerging leaders with the skills to manage change. The latter, meanwhile, aims to: provide a stream of female mid-managers who are either ready now for promotion or will be in the future; build confidence and competence and establish a strong leadership culture; form long-lasting networks; and create an increasing number of female role-models able to mentor female employees.

Practical implications

Reveals that, with 41 per cent of restaurant-management positions held by females, McDonald's focuses on building their entrepreneurial skills and looks for those qualities in employees that it hires and promotes.

Originality/value

Gives the inside story of how McDonald's is making the most of its female talent.

Citation

(2014), "McDonald's shines for the opportunities it offers female employees: Big rise in percentage of women in management", Human Resource Management International Digest, Vol. 22 No. 1, pp. 3-6. https://doi.org/10.1108/HRMID-01-2014-0003