Diversity management during pandemic

Diversity management has been associated with positive outcomes such as job satisfaction and financial performance and is especially essential for high customer-contact industries relying on human capital. While the hospitality industry is known for its diverse workforce, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed how the industry’s vulnerability to socio-economic and health-related disparities challenged diversity management with the resurgence of the industry and jobs demands, and the industry has opportunities to improve existing diversity management strategies and practices. Therefore, this chapter reviews the current state of diversity management in the hospitality industry, challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as visible and invisible barriers to diversity within the industry. In conclusion, managerial practices, such as leadership traits, are discussed along with future research agendas to advance the theoretical and practical implications of diversity management in the hospitality industry.