Throughout Aramark, we work to build a culture of community that values every employee and creates a more inclusive workplace where our people are encouraged to be themselves.
One of the ways we do that is through our employee resource groups (ERGs), including Aramark Pride, which helps fully engage and enhance the professional growth of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning (LGBTQ+) employees and their allies.
In June 2022, celebrated worldwide as LGBTQ+ Pride month, our people put together a calendar full of events focused on the personal and professional development of existing and new Pride ERG members, allyship, and the importance of an affirming workplace culture for our transgender and non-binary employees and customers. This year’s theme was “YOU Belong Here!”
“Through the ERG and our Pride month activities, we hope employees will build connections, learn from those in the LGBTQ+ community, and find inspiration to serve as allies,” says Alyx Reinhardt, IT Senior Technical Analyst and Pride ERG Co-Chair.
This year’s events were wide-ranging and included panel discussions about employment benefits, financial strategies, and being out in the workplace; collaborative learning sessions hosted in partnership with the nation’s leading LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations, Out&Equal and PFLAG; and participation in Philadelphia-area events like the Philly Pride Run and Phillies Pride Night at Citizens Bank Park, to name just a few activities.
“The team really put together a stellar calendar,” said Vince Poplaski, VP of Compensation and Pride ERG Co-Chair. “After being mostly virtual for the past two years, 2022 Pride was an opportunity to broaden participation and inclusivity so more people could get involved.”
Chef Spotlight
The Pride ERG also helps gather member submissions for our Chef Spotlight program, which includes personal stories, quotes, and fantastic recipes.
The Pride Month 2022 Chef Spotlight featured three chefs from different parts of our business: Chefs James Duran, Shannon Tuttle, and Jordan Lublin.
“As I grew in my career and had the opportunity to work with companies like Aramark that value inclusion and diversity, I have come into my own,” shared Chef Duran. Read more on our blog.
Chef Spotlight
"There is strength and talent in our community. "
- Chef James Duran
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
The Aramark Pride ERG has been a leader in Aramark’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts since its inception. The company joined Supreme Court amicus briefs, first, supporting marriage equality in Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015 and, more recently, supporting the expansion of discrimination protections to LGBTQ+ individuals under Title VII in Bostock, Zarda and Harris in 2019.
In 2017, the Pride ERG led the implementation of gender transition guidelines for Aramark employees and, in June 2022, Pride partnered with our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion team to launch a new program, the Pronouns Matter: Best Practices for Inclusivity pilot, which seeks to create a welcoming and safe environment in the workplace.
The Pronouns Matter: Best Practices for Inclusivity pilot program encourages Aramark’s headquarters and Collegiate Hospitality employees to list their pronouns as part of their corporate Aramark identity (business cards, email signatures, etc.). Training is also provided in partnership with PFLAG.
“Pronouns are small words that can make a big difference in making members of the transgender and non-binary communities more visible, and in showing them solidarity and support,” said Fenimore Fisher, Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Aramark. “When we use someone’s correct pronouns, we affirm their identity.”
As a company, Aramark has committed to enabling equitable outcomes for people, including for our employees, for our customers, and for the communities where we serve. It’s part of our Be Well. Do Well. sustainability plan, and this aspect of it serves to help transgender and non-binary individuals, who continue to be some of our most vulnerable to bias, exclusion, and violence.
