Adobe
Corprate Bias Ratings
Risk Level:
Summary:
Adobe pulled ads created by the Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA) reporting on the damage done by the "Defund the Police" movement. The company vets vendors according to LGBTQ policies and does not provide its employees with protections against viewpoint discrimination. Adobe has funded Planned Parenthood and covers the cost of "medically necessary transition related care" for its employees and their children. The company has also advocated for the Equality Act, transgender participation in youth sports, and is a corporate partner of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce. Adobe also discriminates against religious organizations in its charitable giving. For these reasons, Adobe 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.
Adobe received a score of 100 on the Corporate Equality Index. Among other requirements, this means Adobe has pledged to vet vendors based on LGBTQ policies (1)(2). Adobe joined Microsoft’s tech alliance group coordinating to combat “disinformation” online (3). In August 2020, Adobe rejected ads created by RAGA that were meant to highlight the harms of the “Defund the police” movement; the ads were compilations of newscasts and actual footage from real-life events (4).
Charitable giving (including employee matching programs) policies or practices discriminate against charitable organizations based on views or religious beliefs.
Adobe’s employee matching program does not match gifts to “religious organizations, churches, temples, or seminaries” (1).
Employment policies fail to protect against discrimination based on political affiliation/views and/or religion.
Adobe does not protect its employees from viewpoint discrimination (1).
Uses corporate reputation to support ideological causes and/or organizations hostile to freedom of expression.
Adobe advocates for the Equality Act and transgender participation in youth sports (1)(2). Adobe signed an open letter opposing a Florida bill that would prevent teaching gender identity and sexual orientation in schools to kids in K-3rd grade (3). Adobe also joined an amicus brief in the Bostock v. Clayton County case (4). Adobe has also promoted transgender and LGBTQ groups (5)(6)(7). Adobe has signaled its support of the Paris Climate Accords, even denouncing the Trump administration for pulling out of the treaty and subsequently thanking the Biden Administration for getting back in (8)(9).
Uses corporate funds to advance ideological causes, organizations, or policies hostile to freedom of expression.
Adobe has a perfect score on the HRC’s 2022 Corporate Equality Index. This score indicates the company covers the cost of “medically necessary transition-related care” for its employees and their children (1)(2). Adobe has funded Planned Parenthood (3). The company also pays for its employees’ travel to get an abortion (4). Adobe raised over $20,000 for LGBTQ groups and is a corporate partner of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (5)(6). Adobe also joined the “Stop Hate for Profit” Facebook boycott, temporarily pulling ads and funding from Facebook over a dispute for its alleged lack of censorship (7). Adobe has pledged $20 million to the Black Lives Matter movement and related causes (8)(9).
Uses corporate political contributions for ideological, non-business purposes.
Adobe does not operate a PAC at this time (1).
All links were last accessed and all information was updated on:
August 25, 2023
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Voting History
| Date | ESG Category | Proponent | Summary of Resolution | Mgmt Rec | Total Vote % in Favor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/20/23 | Social | NorthStar Asset Management, Inc. | Report on Hiring Practices Impact on Diversity | Against | 17.00% |