New survey from communications giant Weber Shandwick finds
desire for workplace neutrality, disapproval of engagement in the
Republican and Democratic National Conventions
But most Americans say they do want companies and their
leaders to take a role in denouncing political
violence
WASHINGTON, July 16,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A new study from
leading global communications consultancy Weber Shandwick finds
tension between a continued desire for business to stay neutral in
politics and Americans' escalating fears over the state of
democracy and the threat of political violence.
Research earlier this year found that the overwhelming
majority of consumers and employees expect neutrality from business
this election cycle. The new study sharpens these findings,
revealing that three-quarters of Americans continue to say business
should keep the workplace politically neutral. Americans
overwhelmingly believe that their employers should not contribute
to PACs or candidates, and three-fourths do not approve of
companies sponsoring or attending the DNC and RNC.
Still, concerns around political violence and the state of
democracy drive heightened expectations for business. Most
Americans across political parties say they fear this election will
undermine democracy and the rule of law. Across political party and
ideological lines, over two-thirds agree that businesses must take
a stand to protect democracy.
Over half of Americans – even before the July 13th attempted assassination of former
President Trump – said that companies and their leaders should take
a stand in denouncing political violence. Fifty-five percent of
American consumers and 51 percent of employees said they expect
CEOs to speak out against political violence.
"While there is nuance in how and whether employees and
consumers expect business to insert itself this election cycle, it
is clear that Americans – under escalating fears around democracy
and political violence – expect business to be a stabilizing
force," said Pam Jenkins, Weber
Shandwick's Chief Public Affairs Officer. "How, when, and where
business leaders do so will be carefully watched in the coming
months."
The survey finds deep fears on the state of democracy among
Americans across party lines:
- 59% agree "I am fearful that this election will undermine
American democracy and rule of law" (66% Democrat/leaners,
55% Republican/leaners, 63% Independents; 62% among the left, 61%
among the middle, 59% among the right)
- 59% agree, "This election is a sharp fork in the road
between democracy and authoritarianism" (73%
Democrat/leaners, 52% Republican/leaners, 46% Independents; 73%
among the left, 57% among the middle, 57% among the right)
And many across political parties say that business can and
should serve as a stabilizing force:
- 78 percent agree "Businesses should encourage a free and
fair election, and a peaceful transfer of power" (84%
Democrat/leaners, 78% Republican/leaners, 67% Independents; 82%
among the left and middle, 78% among the right).
- 63 percent agree "American businesses are a constructive
force for positive change" (64% Democrat/leaners, 64%
Republican/leaners, 61% Independents; 59% among the left, 65% among
the middle, 67% among the right)
- 59 percent agree "Businesses should help find common ground
to bridge societal divisions": (Should/should not: 73%/15%
Democrat/leaners, 51%/37% Republican/leaners, 43%/32% Independents;
78%/13% among the left, 54%/28% among the middle, 50%/38% among the
right)
- 69 percent agree, "American businesses must take a stand to
protect democracy" (80% Democrat/leaners, 62%
Republican/leaners, 58% Independents; 77% among the left, 64% among
the middle, 68% among the right).
- 55 percent agree "businesses and employers should publicly
denounce political violence during this presidential election
year." (61% Democrat/leaners, 52% Republican/leaners, 48%
Independents; 59% among the left, 57% among the middle, 52% among
the right)
Notably, business leaders largely have not implemented the
policies and guidelines their employees recommend – with just 28
percent saying that their employers have taken steps to keep the
workplace politically neutral, and only 19 percent reporting the
implementation of policies and guidelines for a civil workplace.
Just nine percent say their employer has contingency plans to
manage and communicate around political threats. As of June 16, just 8 percent said their leaders had
denounced political violence.
A quarter of employees said that colleagues had been penalized
for wearing or displaying political messages while on the job;
fewer said employees at their workplaces had been disciplined for
posting or sharing political messages on work platforms such as
email, Teams or slack or posting on personal social channels; and
just 14 percent said colleagues had been punished for such activity
on work-related social channels such as LinkedIn.
KRC Research, Weber Shandwick's research arm, conducted this
national survey among 1,007 Americans, 18 years of age and over, in
a demographically representative sample of the U.S. adult
population from June 14 to 16.
About Weber Shandwick
Backed by the Weber Shandwick
Collective (TWSC), Weber Shandwick is a leading global
communications consultancy operating at the intersection points
between business, policy, culture and society.
About KRC Research
KRC Research, part of the Weber
Shandwick Collective, is a global insights-driven public opinion
research consultancy.
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SOURCE Weber Shandwick