The West Virginia Chamber of Commerce speaks for business and defends free enterprise in our state. The business case for a welcoming West Virginia with room for all is real. People with different backgrounds bring valuable perspectives and create a more robust, stimulating and vibrant environment for all.  In turn, the expanded base of knowledge leads to more creativity and innovation in the workplace, and thus leads to better economic outcomes for everyone.

The members of the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce employ over half of the state’s workforce, giving the Chamber a large and influential voice to articulate workforce needs and preparedness. These members recognize and value the cultural heritage that has enriched our state for generations.  Multiple studies confirm the economic reality that diversity and non-discrimination policies are good for business. These studies also show that employers with non-discrimination policies enjoy greater productivity and lower workplace turnover.

Belonging in the Workplace

The business case for employee belonging is real and beneficial. People with different backgrounds bring different perspectives and create a more robust, stimulating and vibrant environment from which everyone can learn and grow. In turn, the expanded base of knowledge leads to more creativity and innovation in the workplace. An assortment of opinions naturally leads to higher quality decisions and improved performance.

Discussion

West Virginia Chamber of Commerce members employ more than one-half of the state’s workforce, giving the Chamber a large and influential voice to articulate workforce needs and preparedness. We are a solutions-oriented, member supported organization that gives voice to the needs and concerns of our state’s employers. Our members understand the struggles of finding qualified applicants for well-paying jobs. Numerous studies confirm the economic reality that non-discrimination policies are good for business. Companies embracing a welcoming atmosphere know that inclusive working environments are good for business. Studies show that employers with non-discrimination policies enjoy greater productivity and lower turnover in their workforces. Demographic research shows that West Virginia ranks exceptionally low in terms of the racial diversity of our population.

Employers are looking for multi-talented individuals with different backgrounds, various lived experiences and unique perspectives to ensure that they are competitive in the 21st Century.

The Chamber’s Position

We need full participation and belonging of all groups in order to move West Virginia forward. Our ability to attract new jobs and the job creators, particularly Fortune 500 companies who require diversity within their workforce, is greatly impaired without a strong commitment to belonging. West Virginia businesses should take full advantage of the opportunities that a welcoming workforce represents, and our policy makers should embrace policies that support a diverse and robust workforce in West Virginia. As the U.S. population becomes increasingly more diverse, so too will our state’s workforce in West Virginia. West Virginia must be able to attract and retain investment and talent from all backgrounds. The Chamber has long supported diversity in our state and in our workplaces. Many of our Chamber members already have existing personnel policies in effect which promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace. The Chamber respects the strongly-held faith based views of different religious groups in West Virginia. The Chamber will not support legislation which promotes or allows discrimination, nor which sends the wrong message regarding economic development and job growth in West Virginia. The Chamber will oppose legislation that authorizes a form of discrimination or creates new causes of action against employers. Such legal actions would place our state’s employers at a competitive disadvantage with other states.