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The moment the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, companies such as Patagonia and Dick's Sporting Goods announced their abortion care policies and their commitment to reproductive rights on LinkedIn. Supportive comments flooded in–but some questioned why companies who sell fleece jackets and sneakers were “getting so political.”
These companies have no choice but to get political because the decision impacts their employees.
There’s a steep economic cost when businesses do nothing. In 2021 alone, more than 100 state-level abortion restrictions enacted cost the U.S. economy $105 billion in reduced earnings, employee turnover, and absences. The Institute of Women’s Policy Research estimates that private sector growth could have increased by nearly 10% if state-level abortion restrictions were eliminated.
Employees who live in the 26 states where abortion will be outlawed or severely restricted will have to make life-changing decisions. Do they quit their jobs and move out of state where their rights will be protected, or take time off and pay out-of-pocket expenses to travel for an abortion?
Lower-wage employees won’t have the luxury of choice or parental leave. They’ll be forced to give birth and determine how they’ll afford childcare. Many will need to quit their job, unsure how they’ll make ends meet.
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