Sodexo faced many challenges in implementing diversity in their

workforce structure. Communication was a key problem, as introducing

people of diverse background would initiate perceptual, cultural and
language barriers. Ineffective communication could cause confusions,
misunderstandings and higher potential for team conflict, which are
detrimental to the workforces productivity. To address this, in the
United States of America, their diversity learning strategy offers
awareness training and skills building labs on topics ranging from
generations in the workplace to cross-cultural communications1.
Secondly, resistance to change was a challenge Sodexo had to deal
with whilst incorporating diversity into their workforce as not all staff
may accept the changes made. If opposition is not handled carefully, it
could lead to greater problems. Hence, Sodexo made it clear to their
workforce about the reasons and intentions behind their decisions in
including diversity into their workforce. With fears alleviated about
workplace diversity, people grow to accept that the diversity in their
workplace eventually leads to the success of their company.
Thirdly, implementing changes in their workforce was a problem, as
goals have to be met with the new modifications. It might turn out to
be frustrating for the staff if the process is not done smoothly.
Naturally, if you have a diverse workforce there is more opportunity for
discrimination since diversity is based on distinguishing traits among
workers2. Hence an experienced professional who specializes in
workplace diversity would be of great value to the company. As such,
Dr. Rohini Anand joined Sodexo in 2002 when the company was
changing its corporate culture after a racial-discrimination lawsuit and
was soon named Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer for
North America. She has played a strong role in building the companys
diversity strategy, particularly in human resources, and in creating an
effective diversity scorecard to measure the companys progress 3.

1 Sodexo Global Diversity and Inclusion Report 2009

http://www.cartapariopportunita.it/files/70/Sodexo_Diversity_Inclusion_
Report_tcm13-284660.pdf Last Accessed on 25 Oct 2013 4.13pm
2 Examples of Diversity problems in the Workplace
http://smallbusiness.chron.com/examples-diversity-problems-workplace19389.html Last Accessed on 25 Oct 2013 4.37pm
3 Diversity Leadership Dr Rohini Anand, Sodexo
http://www.diversityinc.com/rohini-anand/ Last Accessed on 25 Oct
2013 4.42pm