The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Some companies, states add relevance to Juneteenth date
From Nike to Target, dozens of companies are for the first time commemorating June 19, the effective end of American slavery, but the differences in how are stark.
Some, like J.C. Penney and Spotify Technology, are giving a paid day off. JPMorgan Chase will close its bank branches early, while Bank of America and Citigroup told staffers they can take a personal day, something they can request any day of the year. Automakers General Motors and Fiat Chrysler are observing a moment of silence.
The corporate response to Juneteenth comes after the killing of George Floyd sparked worldwide protests and shows how companies want to be seen as agents of change during a fraught moment.
Widening observance of the holiday has been driven by employees calling for action from their employers, said Kristen Herhold, a marketer at Clutch, a Washington-based ratings and reviews company.
About 62% of workers support the anti-racism protests, and 55% say their employer should respond directly to racial issues, according to a Clutch survey of more than 750 people conducted from June 5 to 7.
“It’s been a complete mindset shift” that’s emboldened some staff to call out their management, Herhold said. “Never before have employees been so comfortable talking about the protests and the issues that stem from racism and diversity in general in the workplace.”
Target said it would close its Minneapolis headquarters and pay hourly workers time and a half on June 19. It also pledged to listen to employees and community partners in coming months after Floyd’s killing in the city sparked local demonstrations.
“We recognize that the racial trauma the country is experiencing now is not new, but throughout recent weeks there has been a sense that this time is, and has to be, different,” Chief Executive Officer Brian Cornell said in a blog post. “Juneteenth takes on additional significance in this moment.”
The speed at which corporations moved this year to commemorate Juneteenth may put pressure on governments to do the same. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said this week he would make Juneteenth as a holiday for state employees and advance legislation to make it an official state holiday next year. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam made a similar announcement.