Companies, business leaders, workers, and students have been both praised and condemned for their statements or lack thereof about the Israel-Gaza War.
At the end of October, ResumeBuilder.com surveyed 1,000 employed Americans to understand their thoughts about how their company has handled the Israel-Gaza War and whether or not particular statements should put a worker’s job at risk.
Key findings:
- 1 in 3 workers say employees who issue pro-Hamas statements should be fired; 39% say companies are justified in choosing not to hire workers who make such statements
- Nearly one-quarter of workers say they are likely to leave their company if it doesn’t make a satisfactory statement
- 39% percent of workers say they are fearful of potential repercussions from discussing the conflict, including fears of assault or losing their job
- 10% of workers say they feel less safe at work since Hamas attack; Jewish and Muslim workers were more likely to say they feel less safe
1 in 3 Workers Say Employees Who Issue Pro-Hamas Statements Should Be Fired
One-third (33%) of respondents say workers who issue pro-Hamas statements should be fired. Additionally, 16% say workers who issue pro-Palestine statements should be fired, and 19% say workers who issue anti-Israel statements should be fired.
Additionally, 39% of respondents say companies are justified in choosing not to hire workers who made pro-Hamas statements. Twenty-three percent of respondents approve of companies deciding not to hire workers who made pro-Palestine statements, and 25% approve of companies choosing not to hire workers who made anti-Israel statements.
Nearly 1 in 4 Workers Likely to Leave Company if it Doesn’t Make a Satisfactory Statement
Half of workers (51%) say it’s important for companies to issue a statement on the Israel-Gaza war. However, only 16% of workers surveyed say their company has actually issued a statement.
Of workers who say their company made a statement, 83% say they are very satisfied (41%) or somewhat satisfied (42%) with the statement, while 5% say they’re not very satisfied, and 3% say they are not satisfied at all. Ten percent remain unsure of how they feel about the statement.
Eighty-three percent of workers say their company’s statement was sympathetic to Israeli civilians, and 71% say the statement was sympathetic to Palestinian civilians. Additionally, 63% say the statement was sympathetic to the Israeli government, and 36% say it was to Hamas.
Twenty-four percent of workers say they are extremely likely (6%), very likely (7%), or somewhat likely (10%) to leave the company if it does not make a statement they’re satisfied with.
“Employees are demanding that companies take a stand on this issue and when they do, we have seen most are satisfied,” says ResumeBuilder’s Chief Career Advisor Stacie Haller.
“It benefits the company to make both an internal and external statement, as it may allow them to maintain, and simultaneously attract, employees aligned with their culture.”
1 in 8 American Workers Fear Being Fired for Speaking Out About Israel-Gaza War
Nearly half of workers say they have a very strong opinion (19%) or a strong opinion (27%) about the Israel-Gaza war. The majority say they are willing to voice their opinion. Eighteen percent say they are extremely willing to voice their opinion, 24% say very willing, and 36% say they are somewhat willing to.
However, 39% percent of workers say they are fearful of potential repercussions from discussing the conflict. Overall, 7% say they are extremely worried about potential consequences of speaking out, 12% say they are very worried, and 20% say a little bit worried.
Of those who have concerns about speaking out, 50% are worried about verbal assaults, 36% about physical assaults, 36% about losing friends, 30% being canceled, 39% losing their current job, and 27% losing future job prospects.
10% of employees say they feel less safe since Hamas attack
Overall, 21% of workers say their mental health has worsened since the Hamas attack on October 7th.
Additionally, 12% of workers say they now feel less safe, including 18% of Jewish workers and 28% of Muslim workers surveyed.
Fifteen percent of respondents say their human resources department has done a poor job handling the issue.
“Political, religious, and emotionally charged conversations have long been discouraged at the workplace, since they can create environments where employees do not feel safe.” says Haller.“HR must reinforce what is appropriate at work and ensure the physical and emotional health of all employees in their organization.”
“Any internal conflicts need to be addressed swiftly for both the employees and company’s wellbeing,” Haller adds. “No one should worry about their safety on the job, and it is the responsibility of HR and the entire executive team to make sure they never do. An open door policy to the senior team can help create a culture of accountability and safety. It must start at the top.”
Methodology
This survey was commissioned by ResumeBuilder.com and conducted from October 27, 2023 to October 30, 2023 using SurveyMonkey. Respondents consisted of a national sample of 1,000 employed Americans collected using SurveyMonkey Audience.
Respondents were selected to represent the U.S. population by age, gender, and income.
Learn more about SurveyMonkey Audience or contact [email protected] for more information.
Survey results below.
Has your company made a public statement about the Israel-Gaza War?
Yes (16%)
No (78%)
Not sure (6%)
In your opinion, how much did the company’s statement sympathize with…
Israeli civilians: A lot (67%) A little (16%) Not much (8%) Not at all (4%) Not sure (4%)
Palestinian civilians: A lot (44%) A little (26%) Not much (17%) Not at all (6%) Not sure (6%)
Israeli government: A lot (35%) A little (28%) Not much (21%) Not at all (10%) Not sure (5%)
Hamas : A lot (19%) A little (15%) Not much (15) Not at all (42%) Not sure (8%)
How satisfied are you with the statement your company made about the Israel-Gaza War?
Very satisfied (41%)
Somewhat satisfied (42%)
Not sure (10%)
Not very satisfied (5%)
Not satisfied at all (3%)
How likely are you to leave your company if they do not make a statement you’re satisfied with?
Extremely likely (6%)
Very likely (7%)
Somewhat likely (10%)
Not very likely (31%)
Not likely at all (45%)
How important do you think it is for companies to issue a statement on the Israel-Gaza war?
Extremely important (9%)
Very important (14%)
Somewhat important (27%)
Not very important (25%)
Not important at all (24%)
Since the start of the most recent Israel-Hamas conflict on October 7th, do you feel more or less safe at work?
I feel much safer (5%)
I feel a little safer (7%)
No change (76%)
I feel less safe (10%)
I feel a lot less safe (2%)
Since October 7th, has your mental health improved or worsened?
Greatly improved (6%)
Somewhat improved (8%)
No change (65%)
Somewhat worsened (18%)
Greatly worsened (3%)
In your opinion, how well has your human resources department handled any issues, if any, that have come up as a result of the Israel-Gaza war?
Very well (10%)
Pretty well (18%)
Not very well (7%)
Not well at all (4%)
Don’t know (10%)
There haven’t been any issues (50%)
At this moment, how strong of an opinion do you have on the Israel-Gaza war?
Very strong opinion (19%)
A strong opinion (27%)
A little bit of an opinion (34%)
Not a very strong opinion (10%)
Hardly any opinion at all (10%)
How willing are you to voice your opinion about these issues?
Extremely willing (18%)
Very willing (24%)
Somewhat willing (36%)
Not very willing (15%)
Not willing at all (7%)
How much pressure do you feel to voice your opinion about these issues?
A lot of pressure (7%)
Some pressure (16%)
A little bit of pressure (15%)
No pressure at all (62%)
How worried are you about potential consequences of speaking out about these issues?
Extremely worried (7%)
Very worried (12%)
A little bit worried (20%)
Not very worried (24%)
Not worried at all (36%)
What potential consequences are you worried about?
Losing future job prospects (27%)
Losing current job (29%)
Losing friends (36%)
Losing social media followers (12%)
Being “canceled” (29%)
Verbal assaults (50%)
Physical assaults (36%)
Other (5%)
In your opinion, should workers be fired who issue statements that are…
Pro-Palestine: Definitely (8%) Probably (8%) Not sure (27%) Probably not (16%) Definitely not (40%)
Anti-Israel: Definitely (10%) Probably (9%) Not sure (25%) Probably not (18%) Definitely not (38%)
Pro-Hamas: : Definitely (18%) Probably (14%) Not sure (25%) Probably not (11%) Definitely not (31%)
In your opinion, are companies justified in choosing not to hire people who made statements that are…
Pro-Palestine: Definitely (12%) Probably (11%) Not sure (29%) Probably not (15%) Definitely not (32%)
Anti-Israel: Definitely (13%) Probably (12%) Not sure (28%) Probably not (15%) Definitely not (31%)
Pro-Hamas: Definitely (24%) Probably (14%) Not sure (26%) Probably not (9%) Definitely not (25%)
