Karen Townsend Apr 23, 2022 4:01 PM ETShare Tweet
Exxon Mobil is moving its corporate headquarters from Irving, Texas, to Houston as part of a business reorganization that the company said will be completed by 2023. What is making headlines, though, is the updated company guidance on its decision to ban any flag flying outside the corporate headquarters other than the official corporate flag. Why was this decision being announced? The corporation is sending a message that it intends to remain neutral and not succumb to politically correct virtue-signaling.
It’s a smart business move. Just ask the head honchos at the Walt Disney Corporation how taking public stands on social issues has affected their stock value.
An oil and gas company is different than theme parks, of course, but consumer reaction is the same across the board. Regular consumers don’t want companies to let political opinions seep into corporate messaging. In this case, Exxon wants to continue its support of gay employees, for example, and rainbow flags and banners can be displayed, just not outside the company headquarters. Only the flag with the Exxon Mobile logo will fly, not “external position flags”. Disgruntled employees are being told that the decision is to address the need for the corporation to maintain ‘neutrality.’
