Small Business Owners Support Taking Action to Ensure LGBTQ Inclusion
The media shares plenty of stories about businesses, specifically large corporations, discriminating against LGBTQ people. Whether it be firing LGBTQ workers or denying service to LGBTQ customers, we know there is a high chance that we aren’t welcome in these spaces. However, a new poll finds that small business owners want to change that; in fact, small business owners want to take action to ensure LGBTQ inclusion in their establishments.
The poll was conducted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and MetLife. As the biggest business organization that represents businesses of all sizes, The U.S. Chamber of Commerce gave access to the small businesses that participated in the poll. MetLife is also an important resource for all businesses providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits, asset management, and other financial services.
The poll found that more than eight in 10 small business owners think providing an inclusive environment to all customers and guests is important. Additionally, two in three small business owners believe having a public statement in support of equality and fairness for the LGBTQ community is also important. Eighty-six percent of the small business owners state that having employees from diverse backgrounds makes their companies stronger, and 77% of those that participated in the survey say that having a formal policy prohibiting discrimination based on LGBTQ status is also crucial. To take that further, 69% say publicly sharing their beliefs on LGBTQ rights on social media is a good idea.
Of those that participated in the survey, 69% say it’s important to take more direct action to help with LGBTQ inclusion. The ideas the small business owners want to implement include having more inclusive advertising, creating a formal workplace policy against discrimination, donating to organizations that support the LGBTQ community, and doing business with LGBTQ-owned businesses.
“Ensuring employees feel included and supported is essential to building a successful business,” says Cynthia Smith, senior vice president of Regional Business at MetLife. “As one of the backbones of our economy, it is positive to see small business owners’ commitment to inclusion among their employees and customers, as well as their support of publicly sharing their beliefs on LGBTQ+ rights.”
This trend could be a big step forward for LGBTQ inclusion, with small businesses employing nearly half of the workforce in the United States.
“Small businesses are essential to fostering inclusive workplaces,” says Tom Sullivan, vice president of Small Business Policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Seventy-two percent of small business owners say that they’re OK losing customers if it means supporting the LGBTQ community. That support can constitute change toward more LGBTQ inclusion.
For more information on the report visit the U.S. Chamber of Commerce website.
Photo courtesy of uschamber.com
