A majority of US job seekers, 65%, expect companies to speak out on key issues, with 50% reporting their current or future employers must take a clear stance on important topics, according to a survey released Oct. 23 by Express Employment Professionals-Harris Poll.

Hiring managers share this sentiment, with 65% believing companies should take a stand, particularly on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, cited by 30%, and racism, also cited by 30%.   

Meanwhile, 49% of job seekers said they would quit if they disagreed with their company’s position.

Top concerns job seekers want companies to address publicly include:

• Diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, 37%
• Racism, 35%
• Environmental issues, 30%
• Sexism, 30%

Across generations, 54% of Gen Z and 58% of millennial job seekers are more inclined than the 38% of Gen X and 34% of baby boomers to value employers who take a clear stance on important issues.

While 24% of job seekers have challenged or questioned their firm’s stance on racism, another 24% have done so on sexism and 23% on free speech.  

However, the survey cautioned that companies should tread carefully, as taking a firm stance could impact both their current and prospective workforce.

Additionally, 20% of hiring managers reported encountering job applicants or current employees who questioned their company’s stance on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, 22%; politics, 20%; free speech, 19%; environmental issues, 18%; racism, 18%; religious freedom, 17%; and sexism, 17%.

“Every company must thoughtfully choose which issues to take a stance on based on their values and the needs of their stakeholders,” Express Employment International CEO Bill Stoller said in a press release. “It’s about finding the right balance between staying true to the company’s mission and addressing the concerns that matter most to their employees and customers. This careful consideration helps ensure that any stance taken is both genuine and impactful.”

Other findings in the report include:

• 62% of job seekers said a company’s stance influences their likelihood of applying.
• 61% of job seekers prefer to work for companies that speak out on issues important to them, and 58% would likely decline a job offer from a company with differing views.
• 78% of hiring managers and 66% of job seekers believe companies taking a stance on political issues poses more risk than benefit in attracting quality candidates.

The Job Insights survey was conducted online among 1,003 US hiring decision-makers between May 16 and June 3. The Job Seeker Report was conducted online among 1,002 US adults aged 18 and older and took place from May 28 to June 10.