Business travel can be a tricky balancing act for companies and their employees in states with restrictive legislation. Recently, laws banning abortion as well as those limiting protections for LGBTQ workers have made vacations and business trips to certain states more complicated and risky.
The rise of abortion bans across the U.S. has put businesses in a difficult position, forcing them to decide if they want to allow their employees to travel to certain locations. Some companies have declared that they will not allow employees to travel to states that are passing restrictive abortion bills, citing their need to protect their employees’ safety and health. Companies like Slack, Amazon, and Netflix have announced restrictions due in part to their opposition to abortion restrictions.
The passage of anti-LGBTQ laws, both in the form of legislation and executive orders, have also caused businesses to reconsider their strategies when it comes to business travel. Companies have the option to ban employees from traveling to states with anti-LGBTQ legislation in place. For example, ExxonMobil recently announced that they would no longer allow their employees to travel to Alabama due to their controversial anti-LGBTQ laws. This type of ban can be an effective way for businesses to demonstrate their commitment to protecting the rights of the LGBTQ community.
As the political climate continues to shift, it’s important for businesses to pay attention to the types of laws being passed in their target destinations. Companies that allow their employees to travel to states with restrictive legislation open themselves up to the possibility of complications and risks to their employees’ health and safety, as well as to the company’s reputation. By monitoring the restrictions and creating policies that protect their employees and their values, businesses can protect both their business and their employees.