Dive Brief:
- Tyson Foods said it will provide improved conditions for employees at its meat-processing plants, according to NPR.
- Among its planned initiatives, the meat producer will give regularly scheduled bathroom breaks, provide more attention to line speeds at plants, offer training on workers’ rights, and establish safety councils that include participation from employees.
- A recent Harvest Public Media investigation revealed that more than half a million workers in slaughterhouses and meat-processing plants have some of the most dangerous factory jobs in the U.S.
Dive Insight:
It’s no secret that some food industry players have been singled out for questionable standards and lack of worker safeguards, but Tyson Foods is working to avoid those perceptions by better protecting its workforce.
A move like this, which is already generating lots of buzz, is likely going to have a piggyback effect, with others in the industry making similar changes. Among those fighting for change are Oxfam America and the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, the primary union for 70,000 U.S. poultry workers.
Consumers are also demanding increased transparency from meat producers. This include pledges that the animals are antibiotic-free and grass-fed, but they also care about animal welfare and ethical employment procedures.
Not only is this a good move for Tyson to improve relations with its employees, but it helps promote Tyson's image as a company that cares. Tyson has ranked at the top of lists where its peers look at its business practices, and this sort of a move helps cement its place. The company has been a leader in several animal initiatives, including a quick response to charges of animal cruelty and making plans to cut antibiotics from chicken. With large expansions on the way, the company is growing, and a reputation for better employee treatment would be helpful.
This kind of forward-thinking problem solving has kept Tyson a step ahead of competing meat producers, and could foster trust with consumers as well.
Consumer sentiment toward all aspects of meat — from how it is raised and slaughtered to how much is healthy to eat — are changing, and Tyson has been able to quickly align its offerings with these new demands. It will be interesting to see if other meat companies adopt similar policies, or if this move will widen the gap between Tyson and its competitors.