March 12, 2024 is Equal Pay Day, an annual event that symbolizes how long women have to work in the new year to earn what men earned by the end of the previous year. This is based on the gender pay gap where, according to the National Women's Law Center, “Women who work full-time, year-round in the United States typically earn just 84 cents for every dollar earned by men.” ”
Equal Pay Day serves as a platform to advocate for fair pay practices, oppose discrimination, and promote gender equality in the workplace. It highlights the importance of closing the pay gap for justice, economic growth and women's empowerment.
Many franchises are committed to promoting equity and inclusion and ensuring equal pay for their employees. These initiatives emphasize the importance of rewarding talent and dedication, regardless of gender, and contribute to advancing gender equality in the business world. There are many ways for businesses and franchises to commit to equal pay practices, including state and federal pledges and company-wide public announcements. These five are committed to equal pay and closing the gender pay gap.
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Wendy's
In 1969, Dave Thomas opened the original Wendy's restaurant in Columbus, Ohio. This was the beginning of the company. Currently, Wendy's operates more than 7,000 of his stores. Not only is the company an established, globally recognized brand, it is also committed to achieving gender equality in the workplace. Two of her seven employee resource groups at Wendy's focus on women and her LGBTQ+ equality and empowerment and guide Wendy's leadership. According to the Wendy's website, Wendy's is proactively and transparently working to improve gender equality through increasing representation in leadership, franchisees, and even the board of directors.
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mcdonalds
McDonald's had humble beginnings in the 1940s when Dick and McDonald opened a drive-in hamburger joint in San Bernardino, California. The menu's focus on burgers, fries, and shakes and the simplicity of its operations were the cornerstone of its success. When the group met Ray Klock, a salesman who hired the franchise as his agent in the 1950s, the group catapulted McDonald's into the global icon we know today.
In 2021, McDonald's established an equal pay goal of equal pay for equal work to promote transparency, inclusivity and change in franchise practices. McDonald's is committed to being a leader in reducing the gender pay gap by regularly sharing and analyzing gaps in our annual Equal Pay Analysis.
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Hilton Hotels & Resorts
Hilton Hotels & Resorts is one of the world's largest hospitality companies. In 2016, Hilton partnered with the White House on the Equal Pay Proclamation. Signing this pledge is a public commitment to accelerate and work towards closing the gender pay gap, and as companies like Hilton sign on, we are committed to closing the pay gap once and for all. is expected.
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InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
InterContinental Hotels & Resorts is a world-renowned hotel brand that is part of InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), which also includes Kimpton and the Holiday Inn family. IHG also signed on to his 2016 White House Equal Pay Declaration, and when combined with our diversity, equity and inclusion resources, we are committed to being the number one destination for guests, owners and colleagues.
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dunkin
Dunkin's parent company was one of the first signatories of the White House's equal pay declaration. At Dunkin, we regularly inspect our pay practices because we are committed to a culture of equal pay, value and opportunity for equal work. Dunkin' is also leveraging its Women's Leadership Champions Resources group to provide female franchisees and employees with the support they need.
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a more just future
As we recognize the importance of Equal Pay Day and the important conversation it provokes about the gender pay gap, we must remember the role that all organizations play in shaping a more just future. The franchises mentioned are not just companies, they are setting benchmarks for what it means to champion equal pay and gender equality within the corporate realm.
Their dedication to ensuring all employees are compensated fairly, regardless of gender, is a powerful reminder of the progress that brands can make when they commit to equity and justice.
