Chipotle Turnover

Turnover being on the rise, fast-food companies are facing an increasing battle to retain low wage workers. One such company that is facing this dilemma is Chipotle. As a result, their management team has come together and proposed a plan to offer to pay full tuition costs for certain business and technology programs for employees. Some of these programs, to name a few, include the University of Arizona, Wilmington University, and Southern New Hampshire University. However, there is a catch, as there always is. In order for a worker to be considered, they are required to have worked at Chipotle for at the very least 120 days. Additionally, workers that commit to this deal are required to continue working at Chipotle throughout their time at the university, as well as up to six months after they receive their degree.

Moreover, will this program actually be effective for workers? Aside from tuition costs, students still need to pay for other expenses including room and board, and textbooks. Additionally, interestingly enough, prior to the launch of this program, in some cases Chipotle had been structuring workers' schedules so that their shifts overlap with school classes, making it difficult to work and simultaneously attend school. Again, did Chipotle really institute this program out of the goodness of its heart? Eh. Those who choose to participate in this program will no doubt become more intelligent human beings, and their productivity would, therefore, certainly increase as well. Consequently, Chipotle's employee base will also become more productive and might feel a stronger emotional attachment to Chipotle. When Chipotle does not have to take the time and resources to train new workers, as more and more workers are staying, they will, in the long run, save more money. Ultimately, Chipotle is just looking out for its best interests.