Aramark's Investment in Employee Education: A Path to Advancement

Aramark, a giant in the food service, uniform, and facility sectors, recognizes the importance of investing in its employees. Demonstrating this commitment, Aramark is providing its 130,000 hourly employees with access to free college tuition. This initiative is part of a broader $90 million investment in wage and benefit increases, as well as additional training and development opportunities.

The Frontline Education Program

The Frontline Education Program offers eligible hourly employees full tuition coverage to earn an undergraduate degree from a top-tier university. Eligible employees can apply for the tuition program, and enrollment for the spring 2020 semester. This program underscores Aramark's dedication to fostering a well-rounded and fulfilled workforce. Salaried team members also enjoy extensive education assistance as a part of Aramark’s commitment.

A Mission to Enrich Lives

“Our mission to enrich and nourish lives means we have a responsibility to help our employees achieve their full potential and lead fulfilling lives,” says Eric Foss, Aramark’s president and CEO. “Education is key to making that happen, and we are proud to provide this learning pathway to our dedicated frontline team members who want to advance their education and grow their careers.”

InStride Partnership

Aramark’s program is offered through InStride, a provider that works with employers to organize degree and credential programs for workers. InStride launched and has partnered with Arizona State University, which offers more than 175 degrees. Vivek Sharma, CEO of InStride, says the company is excited to offer the benefit to Aramark employees. “Aramark and its leadership team recognize the tremendous impact of providing their employees an opportunity to advance their education,” he says.

Comprehensive Benefits

Aramark provides eligible employees with comprehensive benefits to help them build a fulfilling career. These benefits include tuition payment, well-being resources, retirement savings plans, and employee discounts. Aramark has received a Best Employers for Health and Well-Being Award by the National Business Group on Health for 11 years in a row.

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Educational Assistance Program

Aramark also provides tuition reimbursement for its salaried employees through the Educational Assistance Program. If the requirements are met, employees can get reimbursed for tuition and course-related fees.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Aramark has amplified its EAP, providing a dedicated onsite EAP counselor at its HQ location who is also available for virtual one-on-one sessions. The company has been providing regular virtual group sessions focused on mental health, as well as ad hoc sessions for its Employee Resource Groups on relative topics.

Career Development

Aramark provides educational tools and comprehensive development programs that help employees grow their careers and achieve long-term compensation growth. Aramark loves to promote from within. When you join the team, you open doors to vast career opportunities. Whether that means vertical advancement at your location or moving to a different Aramark venue that better suits your needs and lifestyle, Aramark works with you to find your perfect fit.

Employee Resource Groups (ERG)

Aramark is making large-scale investments in creating inclusive workplaces. Through a growing family of Employee Resource Groups (ERG), Aramark is giving voice to the communities that make up its diverse workforce.

Aramark Dietitians: Provides a community to connect and engage in emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities in dietetics.
Aramark Leaders & Employees of African Descent (LEAD): Dedicated to the interest of employees who self-identify as Black, African American, West Indian, or of African descent.
Rising Sun: Dedicated to building an inclusive workplace for Indigenous peoples that reflects Aramark’s clients, customers, and suppliers.
Synergy: Dedicated to the interest of employees, clients, customers, vendors, and suppliers who have a religious or faith-based focus to their work.
Aramark Ascend ERG: Mission is to connect, engage, and develop professionals to influence the enterprise.
The Amplify ERG: Aims to cultivate an inclusive environment for Aramark's team members, clients, customers and communities.

Sustainability Initiatives

Aramark is committed to sustainability. Many of its parks and destinations are cultural, environmental, and historic properties, and Aramark takes responsibility for their stewardship. From recycling programs to energy-efficient design, sustainable sourcing, and waste diversion, the goal is to improve the properties’ conditions while respecting their historical significance. Aramark even partnered with Subaru and NPS to achieve Zero Landfill operations. Be Well. Do Well. is Aramark’s commitment to improving equity and wellbeing for people and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Compensation and Benefits Packages

Aramark’s total rewards program reflects its commitment to providing a sense of security for employees and their families. Aramark fosters a pay-for-performance culture, linking compensation to the performance of the company, teams, and individuals in a way that drives alignment of objectives and meaningful teamwork.

Aramark offers a range of medical plan options designed to meet the varying needs of its population. Aramark understands the importance of work/life balance and time away from work. Where applicable, hourly employees are provided with paid time off as required by law or a collective bargaining agreement. Additionally, locations may adopt one of several Aramark standardized policies that provide options for vacation and/or PTO (aka sick leave). The standardized vacation policies start at five days accrual per year and the PTO/sick leave plans provide between three and six days per year.

Comparisons to Other Companies

More than half of employers offer some kind of tuition assistance, according to the most recent data from the Society for Human Resource Management. Starbucks began offering the benefit to workers, and others have since followed suit. Disney, Discover, Bright Horizons, and Walmart also offer a variation of the benefit. Walmart extended its benefit to high schoolers, allowing them to earn college credit and access free ACT and SAT prep courses. Walmart’s benefit is provided through Guild Education, which provides tuition reimbursement and education offerings to employers.

Aramark's Vision and Values

At Aramark, the vision is to be the most admired employer and the most trusted partner in hospitality. With a global team, Aramark knows that its people are the foundation of its service and the heart of everything it does. Aramark aims to provide access to opportunities for its employees, consumers, and communities. Transparency is important to Aramark. The company fosters a culture driven by pay transparency, equal opportunity for all, and open communication.

A Commitment to Growth

Aramark views growth as an everyday pursuit rather than a static calendar of events. No matter where you are in your career, Aramark helps you develop through challenging assignments, relationships with peers and mentors, and powerful development programs, so you can advance like never before.

Read also: Affording ECU

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