How To Handle Employee Activism

This morning I came across an interesting suggestion for handling the fast-brewing dynamic of employee activism. Of course it does not work for all workforces or all situations but it’s one to consider in these volatile, polarized times. The suggestion is simple — to give your employees time off to vote in 2020.

This was an idea started by Levi’s CEO Chip Bergh who gave employees up to five hours of paid time to vote on Election Day. Retail employees get up to three consecutive hours to vote. The Time to Vote campaign has over 200 company members now, #timetovote. This was a very successful employee campaign from what I remember last year during the midterms and will undoubtedly be an offering in 2020.

In our research on employee activism, we offer suggestions for managing this new wave of activism but would welcome any suggestions from visitors.