IMPROVING DIVERSITY

President: Emily Noselotl, Vice President: Eun Young Kim, Secretary: Stevie Musil, Marketing Manager: Carmen Li, H/R: Min Seok Park

AGENDA I. Introductions

I. Introduce Team II. Company History

II. What is StereotypingI. Text Concepts

III. Scenario IV. Company Controversies

I. Consumer ControversiesII. Employee Controversies

V. Articles I. Dress CodeII. Discrimination III. Economic Facts of Diversity

VI. Management SolutionsVII. Conclusion

I. Call to Action

Abercrombie & Fitch, also known as A&F, is an American retailer that focuses on casual wear for young consumers. The company operates three offshoot brands ; Abercrombie kids, Hollister Co, and Gilly Hicks.

WHAT IS STEREOTYPING

Stereotyping is attributing a specific trait to a person based

on the characteristics of the group to which a person

belongs.

• Teamwork Skills• You can accomplish

more if you take advantage of the unique

skills and abilities of others

• All people are unique and perceive the world

differently.

TEXT CONCEPTS

SCENARIO• In the past year Abercrombie

& Fitch has suffered a drop in sales and popularity due to the many controversies regarding discrimination and lack of diversity surrounding the company.

COMPANY CONTROVERSIES

CONSUMER CONTROVERSIES

• Targeting exclusively to the “cool kids” • CEO Michael Jeffries

states in an interview he only wants “good looking” and thin people wearing A&F • Doesn’t offer clothing

above a large and size 10 in bottoms

EMPLOYEE CONTROVERSIES

• Hiring employees based on their appearance• Allegedly placing less

attractive employees in the back/stock room• Sued for forcing an

employee with a prosthetic arm to only work in the stock room.• Refers to their sales

associates as “models”

ARTICLES

Abercrombie’s Dress Code has caused problems with their employees

ARTICLE 1

ARTICLE 2

ARTICLE 3

Research shows that diversity in a company leads to greater economic strength and a more successful

SOLUTIONS

SOLUTIONS: PRESIDENT

• Diversify board members • Of the 16 board members

only five are women• All members are over the

age of 54 to 77

• Create Quarterly Report

SOLUTION: VICE PRESIDENT

❖ Provide diversity training in the workplace

❖ Make the recruiting process more transparent.

❖ Offer benefits for diversity hiring and PR it!

12 Ethical Questions Companies Should Ask When Making Decisions

1. Is it Legal?2. How do I feel about this? Am I feeling unusually anxious? Am I fearful?3. Will any rules, policies, or regulations be violated?4. Is the proposed action consistent with past practice?5. Does my conscience bother me?6. How would I feel if the details of this situation appeared on the front page of the

local news?7. Does this situation require that I lie about the process or the results?8. Do I consider this to be an extraordinary situation that demands an unusual

response?9. Am I acting fairly? Would I want to be treated this way>10.Would I be able to discuss the proposed situation or action with my immediate

supervisor? My family? My company’s clients? The president of the company?11.If a close friend of mine took this action, how would I feel?12.Will I have to hide or keep my actions secret? Has someone warned me to to

disclose my actions to anyone?

SOLUTION: SECRETARY

SOLUTION : HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGER

• “Diversity and inclusion are key to our organization’s success. We are determined to have a diverse culture, throughout our organization, that benefits from the perspective of each individual”. (Mike Jeffries, Chairman & CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch.

• Definition of Diversity and Inclusion According to Abercrombie & Fitch:• Diversity: “Is about who you are as an individual – what’s seen

and unseen. It also includes the rich differences between individuals such as race, gender, family, sexual orientation, work experience, physical ability, and religion.

• Inclusion: “Is about embracing those differences, and thoughtfully and enthusiastically enabling those differences to equally contribute”

• Diversity Education Program

CONCLUSION

CALL TO ACTION • Provide perspective on

how to attract a more diverse customer, associate and shareholder.

• Making A&F an inclusive environment that values the differences of its associates and customers.

• Diversity and Inclusion yield creativity and innovation.

• Embracing diverse people, ideas, and experience.

CITATIONS• “Diversity & Inclusion.” Abercrombie & Fitch Careers. Web.

21 May 2014• Lutz, Ashley. "13 Reasons Why People Hate Abercrombie &

Fitch." Business Insider. Business Insider, Inc, 22 Aug. 2013. Web.

• Kerby, Sophia, and Crosby Burns. "The Top 10 Economic Facts of Diversity in the Workplace." American Progress. Center for American Progress, 12 July 2012. Web.

• Bhasin, Kim. "Abercrombie Dress Code Enables Discrimination, Insiders Say." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 18 Sept. 2013. Web.

• Vandeveer, Rodney C., Meneffe, Michael L. Human Behavior in Organizations, 2nd ed. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2010.