The business travel industry is facing a stark wakeup call in the wake of a slew of new laws banning abortions and discriminating against LGBTQ individuals. Travelers and their employers are increasingly navigating complicated questions of business ethics as increasing numbers of states pass abortion bans and anti-LGBTQ laws.
Companies of all sizes need to be aware of the local restrictions when planning trips to particular states, as failure to do so could lead to corporate backlash. On the other hand, though, corporate travel policies can’t be so restrictive as to prevent employees from traveling to find everything from new opportunities to essential healthcare services, or their businesses could suffer from lack of expertise, savings or productivity.
The conflict between state laws and corporate policies is forcing businesses to consider their responsibilities to their employees while having to remain cognizant of the laws in various areas. At the same time, heightened legal risks, loss of customers, and dip in morale all could have a profound effect on the financial health of businesses.
The travel industry must have a two-pronged approach in navigating the complicated legal and ethical considerations. First, travel policies must be carefully crafted to ensure that businesses are not having to pay for travel to states where abortion is illegal or prohibited, or to states that lack protections for the LGBTQ community. Second, companies must ensure that their employees received adequate education and training about the legal and ethical pitfalls of travel, including local restrictions and attitudes toward individuals of different genders and sexualities.
Having to deal with such difficult set of regulations is definitely a heavy and complex burden to bear. Yet, it’s a necessary one if the travel industry wants to remain true to their ethical obligations. If companies fail to take the necessary steps, the result could be not only a tarnished public reputation but a legal liability that could ultimately lead to financial loss.
The business travel industry is facing a stark wakeup call in the wake of a slew of new laws banning abortions and discriminating against LGBTQ individuals. Travelers and their employers are increasingly navigating complicated questions of business ethics as increasing numbers of states pass abortion bans and anti-LGBTQ laws.
Companies of all sizes need to be aware of the local restrictions when planning trips to particular states, as failure to do so could lead to corporate backlash. On the other hand, though, corporate travel policies can’t be so restrictive as to prevent employees from traveling to find everything from new opportunities to essential healthcare services, or their businesses could suffer from lack of expertise, savings or productivity.
The conflict between state laws and corporate policies is forcing businesses to consider their responsibilities to their employees while having to remain cognizant of the laws in various areas. At the same time, heightened legal risks, loss of customers, and dip in morale all could have a profound effect on the financial health of businesses.
The travel industry must have a two-pronged approach in navigating the complicated legal and ethical considerations. First, travel policies must be carefully crafted to ensure that businesses are not having to pay for travel to states where abortion is illegal or prohibited, or to states that lack protections for the LGBTQ community. Second, companies must ensure that their employees received adequate education and training about the legal and ethical pitfalls of travel, including local restrictions and attitudes toward individuals of different genders and sexualities.
Having to deal with such difficult set of regulations is definitely a heavy and complex burden to bear. Yet, it’s a necessary one if the travel industry wants to remain true to their ethical obligations. If companies fail to take the necessary steps, the result could be not only a tarnished public reputation but a legal liability that could ultimately lead to financial loss.
