How it All Began:
The year 2020 has already proven to be a year unlike any we’ve seen in living history; and it’s not over yet. As isolation dragged on for many people, social media became an outlet for some of the most visceral expressions of opposing views on on social change issues. With most of the world being relegated to work in cyberspace, a new challenge began to grow for business owners. Social bullying in the name of progressive change began to cause many businesses to choose sides on issues that had nothing to do with their business. As the discussions and conflicts grew, business owners began to cause more problems for themselves by trying to make “appropriate statements of support” for causes that they believed were important to customers, and themselves. As they followed the trend of trying to appease some customers emotionally driven decisions, they ostracized both employees and customers who either disagreed with the issues themselves, or the choice of the business to participate in social change agendas (that were often politically motivated).

After a few conversations with trusted friends and relatives, it became apparent that a large number of businesses were getting sucked into a “no-win” scenario because they were being pressured to “take a stand” by overwhelming public support for social change. It seemed as though they were being forced to make ill-advised choices with no good outcome. When I offered the opinion that these activities had no place in most businesses, I was told, “maybe not, but these businesses risk being shut down if they don’t show support.” My conclusion was simple. If businesses band together and have a united voice in opposition to social bullying, the tide may turn back to allow businesses to stay out of these controversial arguments and remain good servants of all patrons and employees.

The B4BS Pledge
As a B4BS business we pledge to provide our goods or services to all customers, without discrimination based on the personal convictions of either the customers or the employees of the business

As a B4BS business, we do not discriminate against customers or employees, and we ask that they not discriminate against us for our choice to abstain from participating in any specific social impact causes

As a B4BS business, we reserve the right to privately support any cause that we are passionate about, but we do not openly promote any specific social agenda, or require our employees to participate in any way

As a B4BS business, we encourage our employees to participate in social impact causes both financially and through volunteer support, but we ask that they refrain from openly demonstrating support in the workplace

As a B4BS business, our employees are educated on our status, and sign a legal agreement not to “hold the business hostage” for any lack of acknowledgement or promotion of any social impact agenda

As a B4BS business, we are an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in hiring practices, but we reserve the right to establish standards of conduct and hold employees accountable for adhering to company culture and standards of good business etiquette