In a recent NPR interview, Sodexo's senior vice president and global chief diversity officer, Rohini Anand, waxes poetic about the company's deep commitment to improving diversity. Yet behind the smoke and mirrors, the actual number of minorities in management has not changed since Sodexo paid $80 million to settle a race-bias suit filed by thousands of black employees over five years ago. The workers then charged that they were barred from promotions and segregated within the company.

Despite Sodexo's "introspection" and culture of "encouraging diversity," Sodexo's demographics haven't changed since the lawsuit. While over one-quarter of Sodexo's employees are African American, only 12 percent of management positions are held by African Americans. And according to some Sodexo workers we've spoken with and others who have claimed racial discrimination, Sodexo has not gone far enough to change its practices.

Zella Dase, a Sodexo food service worker who makes $12.50 per hour at Loyola University in New Orleans, believes there has been little progress. "If there have been any changes at Sodexo, I don't think they have done enough to make employees feel like we are treated equally," said Dase in a recent interview.

Dase is not the only Sodexo worker who points to a lack of meaningful change at Sodexo. In fact, some of the recent employee complaints have forced the company to pay nearly $1 million to plaintiffs:

• In May 2009, ten Sodexo employees filed a federal lawsuit alleging that Sodexo repeatedly discriminated against them on the basis of their race, national origin, and color. The defendants allege that they were "told by white supervisors that they were 'ugly,' dirty, and spoke that 'nasty language,' referring to their mother tongue, Twi." The case is pending.
• In March 2007, the U.S. Department of Labor found hiring discrimination against 4,465 rejected applicants, most of whom were African-American. Sodexo agreed to pay $788,877 in back wages to settle findings.
• In June 2008, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleged that Sodexo discriminated against an employee on the basis of her national origin, race, and sex by failing to provide her with an alternate work assignment during her pregnancy. Sodexo agreed to pay $80,000 to settle the case.

You can read more about these cases and others at Sodexo by clicking here.

The moral of this Sodexo story? Actions speak louder than words. Despite attempts to portray itself as a socially responsible company that employs a diverse workforce, Sodexo employees tell a very different tale. From top to bottom, Sodexo has failed to live up to its diversity commitment. As recently at last May, lawsuits allege a continued track record of racist language and discriminatory hiring practices.

Adding to a growing list of false promises, Sodexo continues its practice of promoting one thing to the public, and doing something else to its workers.

Does the NPR story give the full picture? What has been your experience?

Share your story by going to action.seiu.org/sdxdivdella and help workers like Zella Dase unite with her fellow Sodexo workers to build a better future for her family.