Employee Activism is on The Rise
Employee activism is actions taken by workers to talk for or against their employers on controversial issues that impact society. Employee activists focus on campaigning to transform their company’s policies, with a center of attention on social activism — actions performed on purpose to create social change.
The days when a company’s value was measured in things are gone, and employers are aware of that. Today, in a digital world, your worth is your people. You have to put more weight on keeping them happy and paying attention to the issues they care about.”
Importance of Employee Activism
Employees are a critical element of any company. Therefore, the way they are affected by policy changes and events within the organization determines the extent of their engagement and the quality of their contributions to the workplace.
The most significant benefit of employee activism is its ability to create positive changes within a business and society. Companies are being forced to take accountability for their actions and adhere to values that benefit society. Employee activists have protested everything from low wages to their company’s dealings with the government
7 Ways Employers Can Respond to Activism
- Embrace activism as a positive force to drive your reputation and your business.
- Be clear about your corporate purpose and culture.
- Learn what is on employees’ minds.
- Cultivate a culture of openness and transparency.
- Establish a response protocol.
- Clearly communicate your company’s values.
- Make your company’s values part of the solution.
The trend of workers caring less about their salary and benefits and more about their employer’s values and ability to create a healthy workplace will continue to grow as more young workers are hired. As a result, employers must increase their focus on motivating employees around solid, corporate values that are clearly defined.