Should business be apolitical?
Some time ago, I read a post saying that business, owner, management and Officer Compliance should be apolitical.
Legal and natural persons should not present their political views in social media.
Why?
1) due to the fact that business is expected to do business and focus on profit making. All that matters is the money, baby.
2. Not to discriminate against employees.
3) Remember, if you take a stand on any political matter, you can get in power and she'll fuck up your business.
4) due to the fact that that's what ethics says?
5) Or you'll lose your employees?
Ad 1) For me, business is not only profit but above all value. That's what it means:
a) adoption of Codes of Ethics and Codes of Ethics - conducting business according to values
(b) CSR
(c) ESG
(d) DEI
(e) support for human rights
(f) compliance with sanctions,
(g) support to Ukraine
(h) etc.
And now, on the 1 hand, we have an entity - an entrepreneur who has certain values and wants to fight, for example, climate disaster, support for the disabled, people with the experience of the road (refugees or immigrants), and on the another hand we have a organization or a organization openly expressing another values - supporting discrimination against minorities (disabled, LGBT, etc.), denying climate disaster, threatening refugees.
Defending value by an entrepreneur will be taking a clear stance in politics.
The deficiency of their defence will be hypocrisy.
By the way, 100 years ago many German, American, etc. corporations collaborated with the Nazis due to the fact that profit mattered.
Today many entities cooperate with the Russians, including any of Poland due to the fact that only the bear's money matters.
Is that what ethical actors do?
Should Officer Compliance turn a blind eye.
At the same time, we know from our own experience that between 2015 and 2023 companies controlled by the Treasury supported the ruling parties and their goal. So 1 is to keep quiet and the another can usage the Company for their political purposes and prey on them?
Is that equality?
And private business is expected to keep quiet or support only those who threaten?
Ad 2)
Discrimination of workers is the unequal treatment of employed persons, due to characteristics that should not affect working conditions specified as sex, age, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation or belief. This includes both direct and indirect discrimination, as well as harassment and harassment at the workplace.
Until the employer processes data on employees' political views (and, in principle, should not) I do not see a chance that the political views of the Enterprise and top management, or the Officer Compliance, would discriminate against employees.
Ad 3) Fear of telling the fact is common. I heard myself not erstwhile in the years 2015-23 "do not mark the sins of power due to the fact that you will not get orders and you will besides deprive us of them".
This fear is coming back.
Courage means doing what's right in spite of fear.
Yes, you can break your back. You can follow fear. Only erstwhile you look at yourself in the mirror
Besides, fear only cheers the aggressor. First he tells you to pay the money and then he takes your business.
The power did so in Russia or Hungary.
Do we want the same thing in Poland?
Will business yet take care of its survival? Without the regulation of law and democracy, business is at the mercy or disfavor of power.
Ad 4) Ethics is to be apolitical officials, judges, services, public media, or public sector - official, judge, etc., to make decisions according to law and not according to organization interests.
But ethics doesn't make a political business. but for 1 thing, he sells his services and goods without asking about his clients' political beliefs unless the law is violated. Besides, I don't know the rule of ethics ordering apolitical business.
But everywhere, business is supported by various parties. As long as he does it legally, openly and transparently.
Besides, au distinguishing company policy from private convince board members or owners. Although they should be consistent with the ethics of the entity.
Ad 5) due to the fact that you'll lose your employees?
Hmmm. I never lost my employees due to my views. I think employers can even gain if they openly support certain values, specified as human rights.
But I lost any business partners. It was their choice, though. any have behaved more culturally. Others less. Well. Common business is trust and common values. If there's no business together, it doesn't make sense.
I can't aid it if the far right kicks deep ditches. At the same time, I do not intend to turn the second cheek or to stay silent erstwhile the destiny of Poland is at stake.
At the same time, I do not intend to silence or tolerate neofascism, neonationalism, or as individual repeats disinformation or Kremlin propaganda.
In conclusion, 2 thoughts:
1) "To win evil, it is adequate to silence good people" - "paraphrase to regulation bad people adequate to silence good people and good businesses"
2) "11 Commandment - don't be indifferent" - it besides applies to business - business as people cannot be indifferent and silent.
Last time I saw neo-fascists and neo-nationalists crying about being discriminated against.
Really?
Fascism and nationalism are based on discrimination against people. This ideology has led to millions of deaths.
Like communism, utmost left-wing ideology is banned by law. specified fascism, utmost right-wing ideology is besides banned by law.
Only communism is dead.
And the brown plague raises its head again.
She cries that she is discriminated against, even though she is based on discrimination.
He says he has the right to proclaim his hatred and fear due to the fact that there is freedom of speech but at the same time closes his mouth to conventional media and business, telling them to be apolitical or taking it and tying it to his propaganda.
In conclusion, Business can stay silent and not defend value. Only erstwhile they come for the business, no 1 can defend him.
