TRENDS 2020 Stand Up More employees expect companies to take a In 2019, we saw the early signs of rising political sentiment in the stand on social issues workplace. Employees walked out at Wayfair following reports the company’s platform had been used to furnish controversial JOB & HIRING immigration detention centers on the U.S.-Mexico border. In the “U.S. companies have an imporant voice in wake of an August 2019 mass shooting in El Paso, Walmart’s proposed legislation, regulation and executive 84% orders that could affect their business or the executives moved to limit ammunition sales and discourage open lives of their employees.” carrying of guns in stores. And Dick’s Sporting Goods physically destroyed $5 million worth of assault rifles instead of giving them “I expect my employer to take a stand on GLASSDOOR'S important issues affecting our country and to gun manufacturers for resale. constitutional rights, such as immigration, 62% equal rights, climate change, etc.” A Calculated Risk 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% There are obvious risks for employers when taking a stand Source: Glassdoor Corporate Activism Survey, on major issues or political matters generally. Employees and available at https://www.glassdoor.com/about-us/corporate-activism-survey/ customers are far from homogeneous, and one person’s ethical stand can be another’s distasteful or offensive opinion. Companies in some cases have faced media and political backlash from taking While taking a political position isn’t right for every employer, surveys unpopular stances on public issues, even leading to boycotts in do show that large majorities of job seekers today want employers to some high-profile cases. stand up for issues they care about. A 2017 Glassdoor survey revealed that 75 percent of millennials expect their employers to take a stand However, we seem to be entering a new era. Not only do on social issues. An overwhelming 84 percent of U.S. workers believe employees expect corporate leaders to speak up on issues that companies have an important voice in proposed legislation, regulation matter to them, but customers are increasingly demanding this as and executive orders that could affect the employer’s business or the well. Taking controversial stances can be a business and personal lives of employees. risk, but those who successfully walk this tightrope can also enjoy rewards. For employers in highly competitive sectors looking for We expect to see more employers in 2020 taking advantage of this ways to stand out from the crowd, taking a political stand can rising sentiment by standing up on social issues their employees care be a winning strategy for distinguishing themselves from the about and inserting themselves more frequently into the national competition and strengthening their appeal to talent. political landscape. 32