Client Release: (Sustainable Brands, on behalf of Povaddo)
Forthcoming survey also highlights employees’ attitudes about corporate social activism amid the uncertainties of the new presidential administration
The outlook among U.S. FORTUNE® 1000 company employees appears to be somewhat grim amid the uncertainties of the Trump administration’s policies on various social issues, according to a forthcoming survey from issue management firm Povaddo. With 46% of workers believing the country is headed in the “wrong direction” and 49% disapproving of President Trump’s performance so far, there is an undercurrent of discontent in corporate America with the new administration. But, that discontent is balanced with a majority desire for corporate America to make its voice heard on important issues.
“Our study shines a light on the uncertainty that many American workers and their companies appear to be feeling in the first several months of the Trump presidency,” said William Stewart, president and founder of Povaddo, a global research consultancy. “However, the survey also shows that U.S. workers have a healthy appetite for their companies and CEOs to play a more active and vocal role in affecting a variety of societal issues important to them.”
Povaddo’s survey, “U.S. Workforce Social Engagement Barometer,” will be released in May in conjunction with the Sustainable Brands 2017 conference in Detroit where the complete findings will be unveiled. Fielded by Research Now among 1,236 FORTUNE® 1000 employees April 3 – 10, the survey was developed to understand and benchmark attitudes of workers across corporate America about social activism and engagement.
While the full survey results are forthcoming, following are several noteworthy findings:
- One-third think President Trump’s leadership and policies will promote their company’s values, while slightly more (36%) think they will contradict company values.
- Fifty-seven percent feel corporate America should play a more active role in addressing important societal issues.
- Eighty-two percent of those who say they want their CEO to be more vocal on important societal issues also want their company/CEO to rally support for certain issues among employees via internal communications.
- Seventy-nine percent of those who say they want their CEO to be more vocal on important societal issues also want their company and/or CEO to oppose government policies that go against the company’s positions.
- Fifty-five percent of those who say they want their CEO to be more vocal on important societal issues support this stance even if it could lead to business setbacks, loss of jobs, and salary freezes.
- Ninety percent said their company's role in addressing societal issues is “more important” or “about the same” than it was a year ago.
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