If I saw a news article saying that my favorite company was being sued for discrimination against people from a group I am part of like my culture, ethnicity, gender, or beliefs it would definitely change the way I feel about them. Even if I had liked their products, services, or brand before, I would feel upset and disappointed. It would be hard to keep supporting a company that does not treat people fairly, especially when it affects people I personally relate to. I think companies should make everyone feel included and respected, no matter who they are.
Hearing this kind of news would also definitely affect whether I spend money on that company in the future. I would want to see how they respond. If they own up to their actions, say sorry, and take real steps to fix the problem, that will show they care about doing the right thing. But if they ignore the issue or act like it is not a big deal, I would not feel comfortable supporting them anymore. I believe trust is important, and once it is broken, it takes time and effort to rebuild.
I also would not want to apply for a job at a company that allows discrimination. If I did not feel like I would be treated fairly or respected as an employee, it would not be worth it. Before considering working there, I would need to see clear changes in how they treat people, especially those from different backgrounds. In the end, how a company deals with discrimination shows what kind of values they truly have and that matters a lot to me.
3 replies on “Rethinking Support After A Company’s Discrimination Claims”
Hey Tessa!
I appreciate your transparency in the effect news like this would have on you. It would absolutely be disappointing to hear that a company we have supported for so long was now getting heat for discriminatory actions. How long do you think you would give a company to appropriately respond to the lawsuit? A situation like this makes me think that there are probably a number of companies out there that are able to get out of cases like this being brought to the public eye. I would hope that a lot of the companies I support are not like that, but it’s hard to assume that a discrimination lawsuit comes out of nowhere. It is likely stemmed from continued behavior that FINALLY rubbed someone the wrong way.
I also agree it would be hard to apply to work at a company that engages in discriminatory behavior. I want to feel proud of the company I work for, and being affiliated with a company that acts unethically is NOT something I want to broadcast to others. What do you think it would take to make a company like this be a place you would consider for employment in the future?
Thanks for sharing!
Hi Tessa! Would you consider still purchasing or supporting the company if they made a public apology and considered what they had done that was unfair and tried to change it? What if the outcome was substantial evidence supporting the company’s continued unethical business, would you still consider to support them with your business? I think this is something that varies from person to person, we all like familiarity, so switching brands because of something the company did is easier said than done sometimes. I know there has always been some buzz about Starbucks, for instance, and it wasn’t something I supported in any way, but I always found myself grabbing a quick drink there and not even thinking about what they had done. Sometimes it is just something familiar to us, something we are comfortable with or is a part of our daily routine. I think if I was presented with this, I would not want to be a part of the company as an employee, but switching products is sometimes a bit tricky, depending on the product or service they sell.
Hi Tessa!
I totally get where you’re coming from. If a company I liked was called out for discrimination against a group I relate to it would definitely bother me too. Even if I liked their stuff before I’d feel weird supporting them after that. I’d want to see what they do next and if they take it seriously and try to make it right or if they just pretend it didn’t happen. That response would tell me everything. I also wouldn’t want to work somewhere that doesn’t treat people fairly. Respect and inclusion matter a lot especially in the workplace.