Express Employment Professionals’ America Employed and Canada Employed series explore the state of employment in North America, including everything from hiring expectations and HR challenges to job seekers’ optimism and shrinking the skills gap. Learn about the latest insights uncovered in a recent Express Employment Professionals-Harris Poll survey.
Companies’ political stances can influence job seekers’ willingness or unwillingness to apply for a job there. While job seekers believe companies should speak out on key issues including diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB), political issues, environmental issues, and more, employers must weigh the risks to recruiting and retention when doing so.
Sixty-five percent of U.S. job seekers want companies to take a clear stance on issues that are important to them, and 49% are ready to quit if they disagree with the take. Top concerns job seekers want companies to address publicly are DEI(B), racism, environmental issues, and sexism. Hiring managers agree companies should take a stance, particularly on DEI(B) and racism.
The survey revealed:
- 40% of job seekers indicate they are less likely to apply to companies that remain silent on these matters
- 20% of hiring managers have encountered job applicants or current employees who questioned their company’s stance on DEI(B), politics, and free speech
Two-thirds of Canadian job seekers want to work for a company that is comfortable speaking out on issues that matter to them, including DEI(B), racism, sexism, free speech, and LGBTQ+ issues. A company’s political stance can impact the likelihood of job seekers applying for a job there, according to 51% of job seekers. Sixty-four per cent of job seekers across all generations believe there is more of a risk than a benefit to attracting quality candidates when companies take a stance on political issues.
According to the survey:
- Younger generations are twice as likely as older generations to push back on their companies
- 70% of hiring decision-makers agree companies that take a stance on political issues will ultimately face more risks than benefits when it comes to attracting quality candidates
Read more about the latest employment insights in America Employed at ExpressPros.com and Canada Employed at ExpressPros.ca.
Last Updated on October 28, 2024
