2023 Freedom at Work Survey
Executive Summary
It's no secret that America is deeply divided. From politics to religion, people of good will disagree on a whole host of important matters. Increasingly, these divides are felt in our workplaces where we inevitably encounter beliefs that are different or in tension with our own. This is the nature of any pluralistic society. When we learn to respect each other’s differences and bring our voices to the table, we build trust with those with whom we disagree and make our workplaces and our society stronger as a result.
But rather than harnessing respect and pluralism to build trust across differences, powerful corporations are increasingly cracking down on employees’ speech and religious activity both on and off the clock. The 2022 Viewpoint Diversity Score Business Index evaluated 50 of America’s most powerful tech and financial services companies on their respect for free speech and religious freedom – including in their workforces. It found serious gaps in corporate commitments to fostering tolerance for religious and political diversity. While nearly every company rated publicly commits to “diversity, equity, and inclusion” along the lines of race and sexuality, no scored company has a policy that explicitly protects and encourages respect for political and religious differences.
Survey Results:
Employer: Who is your employer?
Base: All respondents.
Show Responses
Q1: Have you ever not shared an opinion regarding a social or political issue with a colleague or supervisor out of fear that your views could jeopardize your career or professional advancement?
Base: All respondents.
Yes
43% (1300)
Demographic Information
No
57% (1709)
Demographic Information
Q2: Have you ever not shared a disagreement or concern you had regarding your company’s direction or a management decision with a colleague or supervisor out of fear that your views could jeopardize your career or professional advancement?
Base: All respondents.
Yes
45% (1343)
Demographic Information
No
55% (1666)
Demographic Information
Q3: Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: My company is welcoming of new ideas and perspectives that challenge the status quo?
Base: All respondents.
Strongly agree
30% (891)
Demographic Information
Somewhat agree
41% (1245)
Demographic Information
Somewhat disagree
14% (413)
Demographic Information
Strongly disagree
7% (198)
Demographic Information
Don’t know
9% (263)
Demographic Information
Q4_r: Do you think that respectfully discussing religious views in your workplace is “likely,” “somewhat likely,” or “unlikely” to have negative consequences on your employment?
Base: All respondents.
Likely
28% (852)
Demographic Information
Somewhat likely
32% (959)
Demographic Information
Unlikely
40% (1198)
Demographic Information
Q4_p: Do you think that respectfully discussing political views in your workplace is “likely,” “somewhat likely,” or “unlikely” to have negative consequences on your employment?
Base: All respondents.
Likely
27% (821)
Demographic Information
Somewhat likely
37% (1100)
Demographic Information
Unlikely
36% (1088)
Demographic Information
Q4a_r: What negative consequences do you think could result from discussing religious beliefs in your workplace? [Check all that apply]
Base: Believe respectfully discussing religious views in the workplace is “likely” or “somewhat likely, to have negative consequences on employment.
Suspension or Termination
9% (263)
Demographic Information
Downgrading in job/demotion
7% (222)
Demographic Information
Exclusion from professional development opportunities or opportunities for advancement
12% (356)
Demographic Information
Hostile treatment from colleagues or supervisors
18% (527)
Demographic Information
All of the above
13% (384)
Demographic Information
Other
4% (119)
Demographic Information
None
13% (398)
Demographic Information
Q4a_p: What negative consequences do you think could result from discussing political beliefs in your workplace? [Check all that apply]
Base: Believe respectfully discussing religious views in the workplace is “likely” or “somewhat likely, to have negative consequences on employment.
Suspension or Termination
10% (294)
Demographic Information
Downgrading in job/demotion
8% (253)
Demographic Information
Exclusion from professional development opportunities or opportunities for advancement
12% (372)
Demographic Information
Hostile treatment from colleagues or supervisors
19% (572)
Demographic Information
All of the above
13% (398)
Demographic Information
Other
4% (112)
Demographic Information
None
13% (383)
Demographic Information
Q5_r: Have you experienced negative treatment or faced discrimination at work for respectfully communicating a religious viewpoint?
Base: All respondents.
Yes
21% (621)
Demographic Information
No
79% (2388)
Demographic Information
Q5_p: Have you experienced negative treatment or faced discrimination at work for respectfully communicating a political viewpoint?
Base: All respondents.
Yes
23% (680)
Demographic Information
No
77% (2329)
Demographic Information
Q5a_r: What negative treatment or discrimination did you experience as a result of discussing your religious beliefs at work? [Check all that apply]
Base: Have experienced negative treatment or faced discrimination at work for respectfully communicating a religious viewpoint.
Suspension or Termination
5% (161)
Demographic Information
Downgrading in job/demotion
5% (162)
Demographic Information
Exclusion from professional development opportunities or opportunities for advancement
6% (195)
Demographic Information
Hostile treatment from colleagues or supervisors
7% (208)
Demographic Information
All of the above
3% (95)
Demographic Information
None of the above
2% (54)
Demographic Information
Q5a_p: What negative treatment or discrimination did you experience as a result of discussing your political beliefs at work? [Check all that apply]
Base: Have experienced negative treatment or faced discrimination at work for respectfully communicating a religious viewpoint.
Suspension or Termination
5% (147)
Demographic Information
Downgrading in job/demotion
5% (163)
Demographic Information
Exclusion from professional development opportunities or opportunities for advancement
6% (181)
Demographic Information
Hostile treatment from colleagues or supervisors
9% (274)
Demographic Information
All of the above
3% (81)
Demographic Information
None of the above
2% (53)
Demographic Information
Q6_r: Has someone you know experienced negative treatment or discrimination at work for respectfully communicating a religious viewpoint?
Base: All respondents.
Yes
25% (753)
Demographic Information
No
75% (2256)
Demographic Information
Q6_p: Has someone you know experienced negative treatment or discrimination at work for respectfully communicating a political viewpoint?
Base: All respondents.
Yes
27% (825)
Demographic Information
No
73% (2184)
Demographic Information
Q6a_r: What negative consequences did they experience as a result of discussing their religious beliefs at work? [Check all that apply]
Base: Someone they know has experienced negative treatment or discrimination at work for respectfully communicating a religious viewpoint.
Suspension or Termination
6% (177)
Demographic Information
Downgrading in job/demotion
6% (181)
Demographic Information
Exclusion from professional development opportunities or opportunities for advancement
8% (226)
Demographic Information
Hostile treatment from colleagues or supervisors
11% (322)
Demographic Information
All of the above
3% (86)
Demographic Information
Other
1% (39)
Demographic Information
None of the above
1% (24)
Demographic Information
Q6a_p: What negative consequences did they experience as a result of discussing their political beliefs at work? [Check all that apply]
Base: Someone they know has experienced negative treatment or discrimination at work for respectfully communicating a religious viewpoint.
Suspension or Termination
5% (142)
Demographic Information
Downgrading in job/demotion
6% (168)
Demographic Information
Exclusion from professional development opportunities or opportunities for advancement
7% (216)
Demographic Information
Hostile treatment from colleagues or supervisors
14% (408)
Demographic Information
All of the above
3% (93)
Demographic Information
Other
1% (43)
Demographic Information
None of the above
1% (31)
Demographic Information
Q7_r: If you are currently in the job market, or were to be in the future, are you more or less likely to apply for a position with a company that has an internal workplace culture that you perceive as hostile to your religious views?
Base: All respondents.
Much more likely
17% (503)
Demographic Information
Much less likely
42% (1252)
Demographic Information
Makes no difference
28% (838)
Demographic Information
Don’t know
14% (417)
Demographic Information
Q7_p: If you are currently in the job market, or were to be in the future, are you more or less likely to apply for a position with a company that has an internal workplace culture that you perceive as hostile to your political views?
Base: All respondents.
Much more likely
17% (516)
Demographic Information
Much less likely
42% (1249)
Demographic Information
Makes no difference
29% (882)
Demographic Information
Don’t know
12% (362)
Demographic Information
Q8_r: How concerned are you that posting or sharing religious content on your personal social media account(s) could have negative consequences on your employment?
Base: All respondents.
Very concerned
22% (647)
Demographic Information
Somewhat concerned
30% (899)
Demographic Information
Not concerned
49% (1463)
Demographic Information
Q8_p: How concerned are you that posting or sharing political content on your personal social media account(s) could have negative consequences on your employment?
Base: All respondents.
Very concerned
21% (641)
Demographic Information
Somewhat concerned
33% (1000)
Demographic Information
Not concerned
45% (1368)
Demographic Information
Q9_r: Which, if any, of the following actions should your company take to indicate that it respects employees’ freedom to hold diverse religious views? (Check all that apply).
Base: All respondents.
A company policy that commits to respecting viewpoint diversity in the workplace.
48% (1458)
Demographic Information
A company policy that respects the freedom of employees to engage in political activity on their own time, without having to fear repercussions at work.
48% (1432)
Demographic Information
A letter or statement from the CEO affirming the importance of viewpoint diversity.
26% (775)
Demographic Information
A public commitment to avoid taking stands on divisive social and political issues.
21% (632)
Demographic Information
None of the above
24% (722)
Demographic Information
Q9_i: Which, if any, of the following actions should your company take to indicate that it respects employees’ freedom to hold diverse political views? (Check all that apply).
Base: All respondents.
A company policy that commits to respecting viewpoint diversity in the workplace.
46% (1398)
Demographic Information
A company policy that respects the freedom of employees to engage in political activity on their own time, without having to fear repercussions at work.
50% (1501)
Demographic Information
A letter or statement from the CEO affirming the importance of viewpoint diversity.
27% (816)
Demographic Information
A public commitment to avoid taking stands on divisive social and political issues.
21% (618)
Demographic Information
None of the above
24% (710)
Demographic Information
Q7a_1: Parental Rights in Education bills aim to protect the freedom of parents to decide what their kindergarten through 3rd grade children are taught in the classroom about sex and gender identity by limiting what teachers can discuss and requiring notification and consent of parents before sensitive topics can be addressed. Prior to this survey, were you aware of these bills?/Prior to this survey, were you aware of parental rights in education bills?
Base: All respondents.
Yes
50% (1511)
Demographic Information
No
50% (1498)
Demographic Information
Q7a_2: Do you personally support or oppose these parental rights in education bills?
Do you personally support or oppose parental rights in education bills?
Base: All respondents.
Strongly support
30% (901)
Demographic Information
Support
25% (744)
Demographic Information
Neither support nor oppose
31% (943)
Demographic Information
Oppose
7% (203)
Demographic Information
Strongly oppose
7% (219)
Demographic Information
Q7a_3: Several companies have publicly opposed state-level legislation aimed at protecting the freedom of parents to decide what their kindergarten through 3rd grade children are taught in the classroom about sex and gender identity. In many cases, this has exposed a large rift between company leaders and some employees and consumers who support such protections. At one major company, anonymous employees wrote an open letter claiming that they fear professional retaliation if their views about the company’s actions become known. Prior to this survey, were you aware of companies publicly opposing state-level protection for parental rights in education?
Base: All respondents.
Yes
41% (1228)
Demographic Information
No
59% (1781)
Demographic Information
Q7a_4: How appropriate or inappropriate is it for companies to publicly oppose state-level protection for parental rights in education?
Base: All respondents.
Very appropriate
18% (534)
Demographic Information
Appropriate
17% (524)
Demographic Information
Neither appropriate nor inappropriate
31% (924)
Demographic Information
Inappropriate
19% (572)
Demographic Information
Very inappropriate
15% (456)
Demographic Information
Q7a_5: How comfortable would you be working for a company that takes political positions on contentious social issues in opposition to the views of many employees and customers?
Base: All respondents.
Extremely uncomfortable
17% (513)
Demographic Information
Uncomfortable
27% (809)
Demographic Information
Neither comfortable nor uncomfortable
33% (994)
Demographic Information
Comfortable
13% (393)
Demographic Information
Extremely comfortable
10% (300)
Demographic Information
Q10G: Some companies require employee training programs teaching that certain people are complicit in systemic bias based on their race, religion, or sex. These programs teach that such bias may be unconscious and unintentional. Does your company require you to participate in training programs like the one described above?
Base: All respondents.
Yes
42% (1272)
Demographic Information
No
48% (1455)
Demographic Information
Don’t know
9% (282)
Demographic Information
Q10A: Do you think that it is appropriate for companies to require employees to take training programs that teach that groups of people are complicit in systemic bias because of their race, religion, or sex?
Base: All respondents.
Yes
51% (1530)
Demographic Information
No
49% (1479)
Demographic Information
Q10B: Have you or anyone you know ever been asked by an employer to affirm that they are complicit in systemic racism and/or oppression?
Base: All respondents.
Yes
24% (726)
Demographic Information
No
76% (2283)
Demographic Information
Q10C: If a company were to require you to affirm that you are complicit in systemic racism, would you be more or less comfortable respectfully sharing your personal views on issues like racism or bias at work?
Base: All respondents.
Much more comfortable
17% (499)
Demographic Information
Somewhat more comfortable
15% (463)
Demographic Information
Somewhat less comfortable
19% (566)
Demographic Information
Much less comfortable
23% (707)
Demographic Information
No difference
26% (774)
Demographic Information
Q10Ca: Do you think this approach to employee racism and bias training tends to divide colleagues or does it help create unity?
Base: All respondents.
Drives apart
40% (1193)
Demographic Information
Creates unity
32% (972)
Demographic Information
Don’t know
28% (844)
Demographic Information
Q10D: Are you more or less likely to trust others and feel included at work if you were told in a company sponsored training that you are complicit in racism or oppression based on your race, religion, or sex?
Base: All respondents.
Much more likely
16% (469)
Demographic Information
Somewhat more likely
18% (531)
Demographic Information
Somewhat less likely
18% (535)
Demographic Information
Much less likely
22% (672)
Demographic Information
No difference
27% (802)
Demographic Information
Q10E: Are you more or less likely to apply for or accept a job offer at a company that requires you to participate in training that teaches that you are complicit in racism or oppression based on your race, religion, or sex?
Base: All respondents.
Much more likely
15% (447)
Demographic Information
Somewhat more likely
17% (510)
Demographic Information
Somewhat less likely
15% (466)
Demographic Information
Much less likely
24% (717)
Demographic Information
No difference
29% (869)
Demographic Information
Q10F: How likely are you to buy from a company, if you knew that the company requires employee trainings that label people as complicit in racism or oppression based on your race, religion, or sex?
Base: All respondents.
Very likely
16% (490)
Demographic Information
Somewhat likely
17% (505)
Demographic Information
Somewhat unlikely
16% (479)
Demographic Information
Very unlikely
20% (589)
Demographic Information
No difference
31% (947)
Demographic Information
Q11E: As you may know, some companies permit employees to form “employee resource groups” (ERGs). These groups allow staff members who share specific characteristics or beliefs to associate in the workplace. Prior to this survey, were you aware of “employee resource groups” (ERGs)?
Base: All respondents.
Yes
35% (1065)
Demographic Information
No
65% (1944)
Demographic Information
Q11F: Are you a member of any ERGs?
Base: All respondents.
Yes
13% (405)
Demographic Information
No
87% (2604)
Demographic Information
Q11G: Does your employer allow ERGs based on religion?
Base: All respondents.
Yes
17% (499)
Demographic Information
No
38% (1135)
Demographic Information
Don’t know
46% (1375)
Demographic Information
Q11H: While many companies permit ERGs that are organized around characteristics like “ethnicity,” “race,” “gender,” and “sexual orientation,” some companies may not allow employees with different religious backgrounds, such as Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Jews, Christians, and Atheists to form their own ERGs. Prior to this survey, were you aware that some companies might not allow ERGs to be organized around distinct religious commitments?
Base: All respondents.
Yes
26% (775)
Demographic Information
No
74% (2234)
Demographic Information
Q11A: Are you more or less likely to apply for a job if you know that the company has an ERG that reflects your religious commitments?
Base: All respondents.
Much more likely
15% (437)
Demographic Information
Somewhat more likely
18% (533)
Demographic Information
Somewhat less likely
14% (415)
Demographic Information
Much less likely
10% (291)
Demographic Information
No difference
44% (1333)
Demographic Information
Q11B: Do you think that it is “consistent” or “inconsistent” with the principle of diversity for a company to permit staff members to form ERGs based on identifiers such as race, gender, and sexual orientation, but refuse to allow employees of faith to form similar ERGs based on their religious commitments (e.g., Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Judaism, Christian, Atheist)?
Base: All respondents.
Consistent
24% (709)
Demographic Information
Inconsistent
45% (1362)
Demographic Information
Don’t know
31% (939)
Demographic Information
Q11C: Do you “agree” or “disagree” with the following statement: If a company permits employees to form ERGs based on identifiers such as race, gender, and sexual orientation, they should also allow employees to form ERGs that reflect their religious commitments (e.g., Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Judaism, Christian, Atheist)?
Base: All respondents.
Strongly agree
25% (766)
Demographic Information
Somewhat agree
30% (893)
Demographic Information
Somewhat disagree
12% (354)
Demographic Information
Strongly disagree
6% (195)
Demographic Information
Don’t know
27% (801)
Demographic Information
Q11D: Do you “agree” or “disagree” with the following statement: Companies should treat ERGs equally regardless of whether they are religious or non-religious?
Base: All respondents.
Strongly agree
35% (1046)
Demographic Information
Somewhat agree
28% (857)
Demographic Information
Somewhat disagree
9% (280)
Demographic Information
Strongly disagree
4% (132)
Demographic Information
Don’t know
23% (693)
Demographic Information
Q12: Have you ever considered changing jobs to live in a state or region that you felt was more tolerant of your religious, political, and moral values?
Base: All respondents.
Yes
22% (650)
Demographic Information
No
71% (2129)
Demographic Information
No, but I’m considering it
8% (230)
Demographic Information
Q13: How likely are you to stop purchasing products or services, or cancel subscriptions from brands that do not respect your values?
Base: All respondents.
Very likely
25% (740)
Demographic Information
Somewhat likely
32% (958)
Demographic Information
Somewhat unlikely
13% (398)
Demographic Information
Very unlikely
7% (208)
Demographic Information
No difference/not relevant
23% (706)
Demographic Information
Q13a: How much do you trust brands that promote views that oppose your own personal views?
Base: All respondents.
Not at all
33% (1003)
Demographic Information
Somewhat
55% (1648)
Demographic Information
A lot
12% (358)
Demographic Information
Q14: In the past year, have you stopped purchasing a product or cancelled a service subscription from a particular brand because you disagreed with the company’s stance on a social or political issue?
Base: All respondents.
Yes
30% (908)
Demographic Information
No
55% (1667)
Demographic Information
Not yet, but I’ve considered it
14% (434)
Demographic Information
Q14a: If YES, which brands? (shown a number of individuals mentioning)
Base: All respondents.
Show Responses
Q15: In the past year, have you purchased a product or subscription to a service, in part, because you agreed with the company’s stance on a social or political issue?
Base: All respondents.
Yes
26% (794)
Demographic Information
No
62% (1856)
Demographic Information
Not yet, but I’ve considered it
12% (358)
Demographic Information
Q15a: If YES, which brands? (shown a number of individuals mentioning)
Base: All respondents.
Show Responses
E1: Do you think that a company’s commitment to “diversity” should include respect for a wide range of religious and political beliefs in and outside of the workplace?
Base: All respondents.
Yes
66% (1976)
Demographic Information
No
20% (605)
Demographic Information
Don’t know
14% (428)
Demographic Information
E2: Do you think companies should be able to coerce their employees to affirm or celebrate social or political views that violate their personal beliefs?
Base: All respondents.
Yes
22% (666)
Demographic Information
No
64% (1932)
Demographic Information
Don’t know
14% (411)
Demographic Information
E3: Would you be more or less likely to accept a job with a company that terminated employees for requesting a reasonable religious accommodation?
Base: All respondents.
Much more likely
15% (438)
Demographic Information
Somewhat likely
14% (422)
Demographic Information
Somewhat unlikely
20% (588)
Demographic Information
Very unlikely
32% (963)
Demographic Information
No difference
20% (598)
Demographic Information
E4: Would you be more or less likely to purchase goods or do business with a company that terminated employees for requesting a reasonable religious accommodation?
Base: All respondents.
Much more likely
15% (449)
Demographic Information
Somewhat likely
13% (405)
Demographic Information
Somewhat unlikely
21% (636)
Demographic Information
Very unlikely
26% (791)
Demographic Information
No difference
24% (728)
Demographic Information
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