See Why Civics Matters at Work

Employees’ concerns are real, but most feel powerless to act

People care deeply about the issues that shape their daily lives — things like rising costs, neighborhood safety, access to healthcare, childcare, and quality education. These aren’t abstract “political topics.” They’re the real-world challenges employees are navigating every day.

But with busy jobs, family responsibilities, and a nonstop news cycle, most people don’t have the time or mental bandwidth to make sense of how decisions get made, or how they can influence them.

It’s no surprise many employees are left wondering, “What can I even do about this?”

Adding to the frustration, civic participation is dropping across the board, especially among young people. In 2024, turnout among eligible adults fell sharply, and nearly 6 in 10 young nonvoters said no one ever encouraged them to participate.

At the same time, trust in political institutions is incredibly low: 4 in 5 Americans believe politicians don’t care what people like them think.

When people feel disconnected and ignored, they understandably disengage even more. But here’s the twist…and the opportunity. Even though people feel frustrated with politics, the workplace has become one of the most trusted institutions in America (much more trusted than government or media). Employees still look to their employers for clarity, stability, and straightforward information they can rely on.

Your ERG, and your company as a whole, have a unique ability to help employees feel less overwhelmed and more empowered.

Not by telling them what to think, but by giving them access to simple, factual, nonpartisan civic information. And this is where civics comes in.

Civics isn’t politics.

It’s not about candidates, parties, or taking sides.

Civics is about helping people feel connected to their communities. It’s about giving employees confidence in moments that feel noisy or confusing. It’s about offering clarity in a season full of misinformation. And at its heart, civics is about creating a sense of community, something employees say they deeply want, especially in polarized times.

When employees understand how systems work and what small steps they can take, they’re empowered.

Employees move from “What can I do?” to “I know what to do next.”

And that shift from powerless to capable strengthens individuals, ERGs, and the workplace culture.