Target moved to the center of the national debate over restroom privacy when it announced in 2016 that its transgender employees and customers could use the restrooms and fitting rooms of their choice. Many other retailers employ similar policies. 

An online customer boycott petition reportedly gathered about 1.5 million signatures. Boycott supporters said their concerns were not against women and children. Target CEO Brian Cornell then said the growing availability of family restrooms at Target, and he noted the company's long history of embracing diversity and inclusion. Target was among the first, in the mid-1960s, to employ African American models in advertising. 

Despite the boycott and declining foot traffic, particularly in some Southern markets, executives decided that any lost sales were not of a magnitude that required reporting to investors. Target did, however, announce a $20 million plan to install single-occupancy bathrooms, open to any customer, in all of its stores. 

1. Do you think Target is taking the socially responsible course of action in allowing restroom and fitting room choice for its transgender employees and customers? Explain. 

2. As a business decision, is Target doing the right thing? Explain.

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

1 YesTarget is taking the socially responsible course of action in allowing restroom a... View the full answer