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Supreme Court leaked Roe v Wade draft: Companies keep quiet

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Demonstrators held up signs outside of the U.S. Supreme Court after Justice Samuel Alito’s draft majority opinion was leaked. This is in preparation for a majority court vote to reverse the historic Roe v. Wade decision. 

Elizabeth Frantz | Reuters

After a leak of the Supreme Court’s decision, which indicated that conservative justices were poised to reverse a historic ruling that guaranteed legal abortions access, protestors rallied and politicians tried to make their voices heard Tuesday night.

Numerous companies include Walmart, American AirlinesAnd DisneyCNBC has not received any comment from them. Business Roundtable is a group of high-ranking CEOs that stated in a statement it did not take a position. Microsoft, JPMorganThe U.S. Chamber of Commerce (another leading voice in American business) declined to comment.

Companies and large trade associations remained cautious about weighing in on Tuesday, as even the Supreme Court. confirmed the authenticityA leaked draft was found of the majority opinion. This would repeal Roe v. Wade as well as nearly 50 years worth of protection for abortion if justices continue to hold their positions until a final decision is made. First reported was the preliminary vote. Monday night by PoliticoThe draft opinion was approved by the following:

Companies are now facing a difficult and unexpected communications problem due to the report. This leaked Supreme Court decision was a draft and is not expected to be finalized until the end June.

It would affect thousands of customers and employees’ health-care decisions, but also permanently. divisive issue in U.S. politics — and the leak has exacerbated passions just months before the midterm congressional elections. Also, there was a severe backlash against DisneyCompanies that recently took a socially responsible stand may have a chilling impact.

There is no benefit to speaking up on your own. Jeffrey Sonnenfeld is a Yale School of Management professor and senior associate Dean. No one wants to see 40% of the country angry at them.

Sonnenfeld claimed that historically, trade groups have been the strongest and most safest way for companies and individuals to speak out. But, professional staffs are now “overly careful” and “neutered,” he said.

He said, “They’d rather write incoherent, irrelevant, and tedious work papers, which don’t give any clear directions, so the more you read the better you will know.”

New era of uncertainty

Some companies stated that they will wait and see.

Home DepotFor instance, the spokesperson said “since it is a draft, we wouldn’t be able to speculate about the court’s final verdict.” CVS HealthAetna is a health insurance company that owns thousands upon thousands of pharmacies.

Companies may try to silence employees and customers by not speaking up. The latest Gallup poll found that 58% Americans would prefer the Supreme Court not to overturn Roe v. Wade, while 32% said so. This Gallup poll was done in May 2021. An NBC News pollAccording to September’s survey, 54% believe that it should be legal for an American to have an abortion at any time.

A few companies, however — mostly in the tech industry — have responded directly to the draft decision.

Site for crowd-sourced reviews YelpIn a Tuesday statement, the spokesperson said that “overturning” was her intention. Roe V. WadeMillions of women will lose their freedom to decide what happens to their bodies, which could jeopardize their human rights.”

The company stated that “turning back time on the achievements women made in the last 50 years will have an enormous impact on society and the economy.” These rights must be codified into law by Congress. More companies must take steps to protect their workers and ensure equal access to health care services no matter where they reside.

OkCupid is a dating app that was created by Match Group, wroteTweet: “#RoeVWade is being overturned” OkCupid supports reproductive rights proudly for many years. And we won’t be stopping. “Gender equality is on the line and brands should take a stand.”

Followers were asked to identify brands that they would like to see act and sign up for the company’s newsletter. petitionTo “stand up to reproductive healthcare.” Match did not comment on the draft decision.

Facebook-parent MetaThe report was not commented on by Sheryl Sandberg, Chief Operating Officer of the company. However she did make a statement. personal Facebook page.

Sandberg who is known for her long-standing advocacy on the issue of workplace disparities said that “this is a frightening day for women all over our country.” If the draft opinion leaked becomes law, then one of our most basic rights will be removed. Any woman should be able to choose when and whereabouts she has her child. There are few things that matter more to women’s wellbeing and equality than these.

What is the path to success?

Some businesses declined to reply directly to the draft opinion or the possibility of Supreme Court action. However, they reiterated previous commitments to employees to ensure access to abortion services.

You can also find earlier measures here AmazonAnd AppleThese comments, which were made following several Republican-backed state laws designed to limit abortion access, suggest how corporations might respond to a wider crackdown on abortion rights.

The travel expenses of employees who have to go abroad for abortions are covered by both the companies. This is due to more Sunbelt states passing laws that shut down abortion clinics, or restrict access in other ways.

UberAnd LyftEach one said that they would cover legal fees for driversThey are being sued for violating an Oklahoma law on abortion and another Texas law that prohibits abortions within six weeks. People who assist abortions and transport them to clinics can face a $10,000 maximum fine under both of these bills.

CVS claimed Tuesday that it also made out-of-state healthcare affordable and available for employees living in restrictive states. However, CVS declined to provide further details. It employs approximately 300,000.

Yale’s Sonnenfeld said that there is a lot at stake for companies who speak up. Sonnenfeld, a leader in corporate accountability, has made headlines recently. compiled an extensive list of corporate actions in RussiaAround the conflict in Ukraine.

Corporate brands have retained a high level of trust, he said — even as Americans’ trust of other institutions has eroded. He noted that some corporations have resisted taking on problems and becoming the targets of governors. Ron DeSantis, Texas Governor. Greg Abbott, both Republicans.

This risk was recently posed in Florida by DeSantis versus Disney, one the state’s most well-known corporate residents. DeSantis last month signed a bill that would remove long-standing privilegesThese factors have enabled the Walt Disney Co. essentially to self-govern their area.

Critics as well as Democratic Florida legislators argued that this move, with its broad tax implications, was driven by an argument between Disney and the Florida “Don’t Say Gay” bill, which limits education about sexual orientation and gender identity.

Disney CEO Bob Chapek faced criticism from employees and creative leaders for initially staying quiet on the bill, but he later apologized for not speaking up sooner and said the company would pause donations in Florida.

Although the Disney special district bill was passed approximately a month following the controversy over “Don’t Say Gay”, a Republican Florida state representative Randy Fine said that it wasn’t an act of retaliation. But, he said, “When Disney kicked out the hornets nest, I looked at special district.”

DeSantis has been widely seen as a strong contender to be the GOP’s presidential nominee in 2024. Disney has not responded to my Tuesday request for comment on the Supreme Court’s draft.

Sonnenfeld noted that leaders in corporate have proven their worth by demonstrating how words and action can impact the world, especially when working with others.

2017 saw the appointment of CEOs at major corporations, including AT&TAmerican Airlines Texas InstrumentsIn a letter, I protested opposed the so-called “bathroom bill”Texas would have banned transgender individuals from going to the toilet that matches their gender identity.

After the resistance of business leaders as well as civil rights organizations, the bill was ultimately defeated in session.

He said that there is a long history of these companies making a positive impact. They aren’t fringe, progressive or edgy. Instead, these companies speak to the coreland of America.

—CNBC’s Jessica Bursztynsky, Leslie Josephs, Hugh Son, Morgan Smith and Lauren Thomas contributed to this story.

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