Aramark has been named a top workplace when it comes to disability inclusion for the seventh consecutive year.
The foodservice provider earned a score of 100 on the 2023 Disability Equality Index (DEI), a benchmarking tool from the American Association of People with Disabilities and nonprofit Disability: IN. Companies that score higher than 80 on the scale of 0-100 are recognized as a "Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion."
“The Disability Equality Index allows us to measure both our progression and gaps. At Aramark, our vision is to be the most admired employer and trusted hospitality partner," Fenimore Fisher, VP of diversity, equity, and inclusion at Aramark, said in a statement. “To achieve this vision, it is critical we create a welcoming and inclusive culture, and recruit and advance a diverse workforce that includes people with disabilities.”
Aramark has numerous initiatives around its commitment to disability inclusion. Last summer, Aramark CEO John Zillmer became a signatory of Disability: IN’s CEO letter on disability inclusion. The company also recently launched a self-ID campaign to encourage employees to voluntarily and confidentially share their identities. That campaign will help direct the company’s DEI strategy, according to a statement.
In addition, Aramark offers resource groups to its employees, one of which, Aramark Thrive, is dedicated to employees who identify as having a disability and for caretakers and advocates of those with disabilities. Thrive members support disability organizations, including Special Olympics and the Wounded Warrior Project. This year, Thrive members participated in Special Olympics Polar Plunges around the country and recently collaborated with the Drexel Autism Institute to offer career opportunities to people with disabilities.
“We recognize these top-scoring companies as a ‘Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion’ for their passion and efforts to lead the way in creating greater equity for people with disabilities in the workplace, marketplace and supply chain,” said Jill Houghton, CEO of Disability: IN.