McDonalds 2001 Annual Report Download - page 26

less fortunate, including offering much needed
assistance after natural disasters, such as earth-
quakes and hurricanes.
McDonald’s also has long held the belief that we
have a responsibility to protect the environment for
future generations. Consistent with our leadership
position on a host of environmental issues, we, in
partnership with Conservation International, are
collaborating with McDonald’s suppliers to further
integrate environmentally sustainable practices
into their operations. Primary areas of focus include
the conservation of water and energy and the safe-
guarding of animal and plant biodiversity.
RONALD McDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES
One of the more visible aspects of our ongoing
commitment to others is our support of Ronald
McDonald House Charities (RMHC). RMHC works
tirelessly to improve the health and well being of
children by funding programs that meet their spe-
cial needs and by supporting more than 200 Ronald
McDonald Houses, which provide a home-away-from-
home for families of children with serious illnesses.
We are privileged and pleased that we can have
a positive impact on the lives of children around the
world and that many of our employees, franchisees,
joint-venture partners, suppliers, shareholders and
customers share our belief in, and support of, RMHC.
PEOPLE FIRST
At McDonald’s, we value our people, their ideas and
their contributions. We are committed to diversity,
and do not and will not tolerate discrimination of
any kind. In fact, treating people right is at the
heart of our vision to be the best—and it is an
expectation to which we hold the entire System.
We also value hard work and expect McDonald’s
people to give their very best. We empower them,
hold them accountable for their decisions and actions,
pay them fairly and reward them for performance.
We are gratified to note that last year, McDonald’s
received the prestigious Best Employer Award in
Brazil. We also were recognized as one of the 100
Best Employers for Working Mothers in the U.S.
and ranked third among America’s Best Companies
for Minorities. Although we
are proud of these and other
achievements, we know that
we can—and must—do
more in order to become the
best employer in each com-
munity around the world.
CASTING A
LONG SHADOW
Honesty and integrity are at
the very core of who we are.
We are demanding...yet
fair. We expect the same
from those with whom we
associate.
Our suppliers know that
we expect them to maintain
our high-quality and safety
standards, to share our com-
mitment to socially responsi-
ble activities, and to value
and respect their employees.
Consistent with our phi-
losophy of treating employees
right, we insist that suppliers
abide by McDonald’s Code of
Conduct, which describes
how we expect them, as well
as their suppliers who work
on McDonald’s business, to
treat their employees.
Our commitment to good
employee practices is not
negotiable. We reserve the
right to verify compliance by
having external monitors
conduct periodic, announced
and unannounced inspec-
tions of the facilities making
products for McDonald’s. In
addition, we emphasize dia-
logues, training and remediation. Although we will
terminate suppliers when absolutely necessary, our
objective is to help them to continuously improve.
RMHC was ranked as one of
America’s 100 Best Charities
by Worth magazine.
24
BEING A GOOD
NEIGHBOR
No one can forget the terrorist
attacks on the U.S. last September.
Nor should we. Our hearts go out
to the many people who lost their
lives in this tragedy and to their
families and friends.
We are proud of the amazing
response by those who spent
countless hours working to rescue
victims and remove the rubble.
They indeed are heroes–a special
kind of hero, as their work was
both physically and emotionally
difficult. We salute you!
Many members of McDonald’s
Family–owner/operators, employ-
ees, restaurant staffs and suppliers
–also made us proud. These indi-
viduals pulled together in the
aftermath of these horrific events
to serve food to rescue and relief
workers at the World Trade
Center, the Pentagon and the
crash site in Pennsylvania. And
across the country, the McFamily
stepped up to feed stranded trav-
elers at airports and the volun-
teers at countless blood centers.
Collectively, more than 750,000
McDonald’s meals were served.
Like so many others, we have
family, friends and colleagues
among the victims of this tragedy.
Yet, we are grateful that no one in
the McDonald’s Family was physi-
cally hurt. We also are grateful
that we could make a small differ-
ence by helping others at a time
of dire need.