Providing staff break day to vote is a straightforward means many corporations have been serving to individuals train their rights with out feeling pressed for time. However why has the actual property business been absent from the dialog?
In a yr stricken by an internet of unimaginable challenges, not least of which stays an ongoing world pandemic, the countdown to Election Day is quickly ticking. Early voting is underway, with some states already surpassing their whole 2016 turnout.
On a private degree, I’m impressed by the thousands and thousands of People who’re already utilizing their voices to form the nation’s political panorama over the subsequent 4 years. Because the CEO of one of many nation’s largest residential brokerages, I really feel it’s my responsibility to assist get out the vote — not as a result of I wish to make a political assertion, however as a result of it’s the proper factor to do.
I’m actually not alone. Many leaders in company America are pledging to supply full or partial paid break day to their staff on Election Day to encourage voter turnout. Last month, I announced all Brown Harris Stevens (BHS) staff would get the time without work so they might head to the polls unencumbered. I challenged different brokerages to do the identical.
BHS later joined the Time To Vote coalition, a nonpartisan motion of 1,700 corporations nationwide serving to staffers train their proper on Nov. 3. I used to be completely blown away by the response inside my firm. Folks had been so grateful, relieved and proud to be a part of the rising change occurring throughout our nation.
Companies — giant and small, from Goldman Sachs to Patagonia — have been absolutely engaged on this encouraging motion sweeping the nation proper now in sectors from tech to finance and style.
Noticeably absent on this dialog, surprisingly, is my business — actual property. Whereas it’s true many actual property brokers are unbiased contractors and free to make their very own hours, the actual property business employs hundreds upon hundreds of people that don’t have the luxurious of flexibility.
I don’t need anybody selecting between going to work, homeschooling their youngsters or going to the polls. Providing staff break day was a easy means I might assist encourage individuals to stand up, get out, and vote in what continues to be a really anxious social and financial local weather.
I’m compelled to ask: The place is actual property management on this dialog? Inaction is an motion, and silence speaks volumes. In an age when company America has spoken out loud and clear on so many essential points, the actual property business has been staying mum with reference to encouraging voter turnout — and that is the place the actual change begins!
This isn’t about choosing sides or pushing agendas. It’s merely about doing all your half to assist individuals train their rights with out feeling burdened or pressed for time.
I hope actual property leaders can take cues from corporations in different industries and do what’s proper by our staff. Our business already has a fame of not being forward-thinking, so let’s not give credit score to that notion by staying comfortably on the sidelines. It doesn’t matter what aspect of the political aisle we’re on, we’re informed each vote counts. As leaders, it’s time to behave prefer it.
Bess Freedman is the chief government officer of Brown Harris Stevens in New York Metropolis. Join along with her on Instagram or LinkedIn.
