Scientific Opinion Poll Shows Ohio Small Businesses Strongly Support Employment Non-Discrimination Laws to Protect Gay, Transgender Workers

Washington, DC̢??‰۝A scientific opinion poll released today by Small Business Majority shows Ohio entrepreneurs believe federal and state laws should prohibit employment discrimination against gay and transgender people, and that employers should not be able to fire or refuse to hire someone who is gay, lesbian or transgender based on the employer̢??‰?s religious beliefs.

The poll also revealed the majority of Ohio small business owners already thought such laws existed, and oppose the federal law requiring employers to treat married same-sex couples as unmarried for benefit and payroll purposes (the Defense of Marriage Act). Seven in 10 small businesses think businesses are hurt by this law.

The poll, conducted April 8-17, 2013 by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research, found 66 percent of Ohio entrepreneurs believe federal law should prohibit employment discrimination against gay and transgender people, and 70 percent believe their state should have a law prohibiting this type of discrimination. A sweeping 84 percent didn't realize it̢??‰?s currently legal under federal law to fire or refuse to hire someone because they are gay, lesbian or transgender, and 79 percent were unaware it is legal in Ohio to refuse to hire someone based on sexual preference or gender identity.

̢???Promoting an open and safe environment for all my employees makes good business sense, because happy employees want to come to work each day and are more productive when they are here,̢???? said Anne Zimmerman, president of Zimmerman and Company CPAs and Zimcom Internet Solutions. ̢???My company is best served when I can easily recruit and retain the best talent. That̢??‰?s why I support laws that allow me to treat all my employees equally, regardless of sexual orientation, because they help me retain more talented workers, which strengthens my business.̢????

The majority of Ohio small business owners oppose the current federal law allowing employers to deny married same-sex couples the family benefits they offer to heterosexual couples. Another two-thirds oppose employees with a same-sex partner or spouse being taxed for their dependent̢??‰?s health benefits while employees who have heterosexual partners or spouses aren̢??‰?t.

Ohio small business owners believe laws that protect against discrimination can improve their bottom line and that these kinds of laws help employers attract the best and brightest employees, regardless of whether an employee is gay or transgender. Additionally, Ohio entrepreneurs strongly believe implementing a nondiscrimination policy is the right thing to do. Of employers who have a nondiscrimination policy, 83 percent say it̢??‰?s because they believe all employees should be treated fairly and equally, and 70 percent say they have it because it̢??‰?s the right thing to do.

̢???Small employers support policies that maximize their ability to attract and retain quality workers and help them grow their businesses. Policies that encourage workplace discrimination introduce inefficiencies and costs that cut into profits and undermine small businesses̢??‰? bottom lines,̢???? said John Arensmeyer, Founder & CEO of Small Business Majority. ̢???Implementing nondiscrimination laws that allow employers to treat all people equally, regardless of sexual orientation, will help small businesses retain quality employees and free them from an extra administrative burden.̢????

The respondents were plurality Republican, with 49 percent identifying as Republican, 23 percent as Democrat and 23 percent as independent or other.

For the full report visit: http://www.smallbusinessmajority.org/small-business-research/workplace-nondiscrimination/