Americans are divided on whether companies should take public positions on political and social issues, with 48% saying they should and 52% saying they shouldn’t.
Young people are more likely than older people to think that companies should take a certain stance. 59% of 18-29 year olds think the same, compared to 51% of 30-44 year olds, 41% of 45-59 year olds and 43% of 43 year olds. Percentage of people aged 60 and over.
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This is consistent with young Americans’ concerns about the impact their organizations are having on the world around them. In the same survey, Gallup found that U.S. adults between the ages of 18 and 29 find it very important to them that companies have a positive social and cultural impact compared to older age groups. We found that people were more likely to report it as important.
The results of the Bentley-Gallup Force for Good survey are based on more than 5,700 interviews with U.S. adults conducted through the Gallup Panel in June 2022.
Democrats are more likely to think companies should take a public stance.
Democrats are more likely than Republicans or independents to think companies should publicly share their beliefs on social and cultural issues, with 75% of Democrats saying they should. That compares with 40% of independents and 18% of Republicans.
Asian adults and Black adults are the most likely of all racial/ethnic groups to believe that companies should take public positions on political and social issues. About three-quarters of each group (74% and 72%, respectively) say companies should take a public stance, compared to 49% of Hispanic adults and 41% of white adults. ing.
Women (52%) are slightly more likely than men (43%) to prefer that companies take public positions on issues.
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what it means
Many companies struggle to decide whether and how to address critical social and cultural issues. These issues in the past few years include the COVID-19 pandemic, racial and social injustice following the death of George Floyd, and changing legal rulings regarding women’s reproductive rights. Many employees are asking their employers to issue internal and external statements explaining their values regarding these events. Additionally, while some employers have made such statements internally and publicly, taking a public stand on culturally relevant issues can improve your brand with customers and current and future employees. Some employers are concerned that it could have a negative impact. Some argue that such statements are inconsistent with the company’s role as a company.
Americans are divided on this issue, with Democrats, young people, and racial and ethnic minorities most likely to think companies should take public positions on important issues. One thing is clear: Americans are increasingly polarized on cultural and social issues, and many expect their employers to solicit input on these topics, so this debate It means they will continue to challenge their employers.
Learn more about the results of the Bentley-Gallup Force for Good Survey.