WEGMANS SLP Nurturing Ethical Diverse Workplace Continue reference organization chosen Module 1(Wegmans). [Reminder-- factual information specific chosen SLP employer. We current, HRM-specific information applicable employer chosen.

Diversity management: Wegmans

A diverse population of employees that reflects the demographic composition of its customers and the community the organization serves is an essential component of all retail operations. Particularly with regards to a grocery store like Wegmans, the company must be aware of the diverse preferences of customers. As a company that has long prided itself on its 'ethnic' offerings spanning from Lyle's Golden Syrup (British) to Pocky (Japanese), a diverse workforce enables Wegmans to be informed of what products, shopping strategies, and other considerations affect consumers' food buying.

Food selection often has a substantial psychological and social component -- it is not simply based upon price or even taste. Thus intercultural competency as an organization is enhanced by a diverse workforce. This is not to say that employees cannot understand customers from different backgrounds than themselves, but...

A manager with Hispanic heritage may understand which products are difficult to find in supermarkets, and give Wegmans an edge if it can stock them. A bilingual supermarket cashier can help translate labels for a customer who speaks English only as a second language. For example, "Isabel Mayer, a training coordinator at Wegmans' Dulles, Va., store, started as a part-time high-school student in a Rochester-area Wegmans store 15 years ago. Fluent in Spanish, she offered to help translate for some Hispanic customers who had a question at photo finishing, and eventually went on to manage that department" (Springer 2006).
According to company founder Danny Wegman, diversity is a critical component of the supermarket's philosophy. "We define diversity as equal success and opportunity for all Wegmans people, regardless of race or gender or religion…The common ground we all share is diversity of thought. That's what's most important to us at Wegmans. In fact, our whole business strategy is to try to give consumers a choice they don't have at the moment. That, almost by definition,…