Opinions In Business

Voicing your opinion on social issues is commonplace in our society. It's perfectly acceptable for someone to state their dislike of a new law, or voice that they dislike the president. Sometimes behavior on social media can get people in trouble with their employers, but it's riskier if the organization itself voices its opinion on social issues. An employee may say something on social media that can result in the loss of their job, but when an organization says something controversial, the entire organization can be affected. For instance, a few years ago, the COO of Chick-Fil-A made comments opposing same-sex marriage. It was then discovered that Chick-Fil-A was using part of the funds from a charitable organization to fund anti-LGBT organizations. These discoveries led to major backlash, including boycotts and protests. Eventually, Chick-Fil-A made a statement that they would leave the debate over same-sex marriage to the government. Is it wise for business owners to voice their personal beliefs, considering that their organizations cater to a variety of consumers? On the one hand, Chick-Fil-A did have support from those who oppose same-sex marriage, but on the other hand, by stating their opinion they limited their customer base. It's tempting to state your opinion, especially when it concerns your beliefs, but it does not make good business sense.