Restoring Dignity with Open Hiring: Greyston Bakery and the Recognition of Value

Abstract

In contrast to the notion of value creation as the focus for social innovation, we present a dignity-based approach to management that illuminates the potential inherent in value recognition and value restoration. We describe Greyston’s open hiring practices as a leading example of dignity-based organizing designed to lower the barrier to employment to enable the recognition and restoration of value of individuals who may otherwise be deemed as unemployable. We outline the conditions that enable the successful cost-effective implementation of open hiring, the possibilities inherent in its scaling as well as potential challenges for its diffusion. COVID-19 has laid bare the discriminatory practices of the traditional approach to human capital management. Now more than ever, we need a more innovative approach to hiring that creates an inclusive economy and a more supportive workplace. Open Hiring could be part of that solution by inspiring innovative practices for dignity-based organizing.

Keywords: case, CSR, social responsibility, human resources