Abbott Laboratories
Corprate Bias Ratings
Risk Level:
Summary:
Abbott has ended its business relationship with the chairman of the Conservative Political Action Coalition (CPAC) after he criticized the public destruction of property condoned by Black Lives Matter (BLM). The company vets vendors according to LGBTQ policies, is part of the Global Alliance for Responsible Media, and does not provide its employees with protections against viewpoint discrimination. The company covers the cost of "medically necessary transition-related care" for its employees and their children. Abbott is a signatory of the Business Roundtable's 2019 Statement on the Purpose of Corporation, which promotes stakeholder capitalism. The company is a copper sponsor of Out & Equal, a corporate partner of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, and requires unconscious bias training. For these reasons, Abbott receives a High Risk rating.
Has denied service to customers, suppliers, or vendors due to their political views or religious beliefs OR corporately boycotts, divests, or sanctions regions, people groups, or industries.
Abbott is a member of the Global Alliance for Responsible Media, which aims to demonetize advertisements and suppress content that “vilifies” individuals based on sexual orientation and gender identity, discusses “debated social issues in a negative or partisan context” or spreads “hate speech” (1)(2)(3). The company received a score of 95 on the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Corporate Equality Index. Among other requirements, this means Abbott has pledged to vet vendors based on LGBTQ policies (4). Abbott allegedly ended its relationship with lobbyist Matt Schlapp, CEO of CPAC, after his criticism of BLM and the destruction of public property (5).
Charitable giving (including employee matching programs) policies or practices discriminate against charitable organizations based on views or religious beliefs.
Abbott Laboratories’ gift matching program for employees restricts its giving to educational institutions, hospitals, and public broadcasting media groups and does not explicitly prohibit donations to religious organizations or religious schools (1). Abbott’s main corporate charity goals are disaster relief, international aid, and STEM education. Abbott does not have any policy or statement that indicates discrimination against religious groups in its corporate charitable giving (2).
Employment policies fail to protect against discrimination based on political affiliation/views and/or religion.
Abbott Laboratories does not protect its employees from viewpoint discrimination (1).
Uses corporate reputation to support ideological causes and/or organizations hostile to freedom of expression.
As a part of the company’s initiatives after the death of George Floyd, the company required all employees to undergo an “unconscious bias” training program centered around systemic racism (1). CEO Robert Ford is a member of the Business Roundtable and Former CEO Miles White signed its 2019 Statement on the Purpose of Corporation, which promotes stakeholder capitalism over traditional obligations to shareholders and customers (2)(3).
Uses corporate funds to advance ideological causes, organizations, or policies hostile to freedom of expression.
Abbott’s HRC CEI profile indicates the company covers the cost of “medically necessary transition-related care” for its employees and their children (1)(2). Abbot is a member of the Global Alliance for Responsible Media (3)(4)(5). The company is a copper sponsor of Out & Equal and a corporate partner of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (6)(7). Abbott has in the past donated to a Planned Parenthood clinic in California, but there is no recent data to confirm ongoing donations to the organization (8).
Uses corporate political contributions for ideological, non-business purposes.
Abbott Laboratories has not used its PAC donations for ideological purposes (1).
All links were last accessed and all information was updated on:
August 24, 2023
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Voting History
| Date | ESG Category | Proponent | Summary of Resolution | Mgmt Rec | Total Vote % in Favor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/28/23 | Governance | Kenneth Steiner | Request that the Board Chairman be an Independent Director | Against | 30.50% |
| 4/28/23 | Governance | The Province of Saint Joseph of the Capuchin Order and Proxy Impact | Prepare Annual Report Disclosing Policies, Procedures, and Expenditures. | Against | 23.00% |
| 4/28/23 | Governance | The Shareholder Association for Research & Education | Financial Performance Metric for Senior Level Executives Include Legal and Compliance Costs | Against | 14.40% |
| 4/28/23 | Governance | John Chevedden | Lower Ownership Threshold for Calling Special Meetings | Against | 4.30% |
| 4/29/22 | Governance | NYC Comptroller's Office | Adopt Policy on 10b5-1 Trading Plans | Against | 48.76% |
| 4/29/22 | Governance | John Chevedden | Reduce Ownership Threshold for Shareholders to Call Special Meeting | Against | 47.15% |
| 4/29/22 | Social | Unitarian Universalist Assoc. | Report on Lobbying Payments and Policy | Against | 34.52% |
| 4/29/22 | Governance | Kenneth Steiner | Require Independent Board Chair | Against | 27.75% |
| 4/29/22 | Social | The Shareholder Commons | Report on Public Health Costs of Antimicrobial Resistance | Against | 11.51% |