Airbnb
Corprate Bias Ratings
Risk Level:
Summary:
Airbnb has canceled reservations for certain clients and banned users from its platform if they have been involved with any groups the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) puts on its "Hate Group" list. The company covers the cost of "medically necessary transition-related care" for its employees and their children. Airbnb does not protect employees from viewpoint discrimination and regularly uses its corporate reputation to advance ideological agendas by signing open letters and amicus briefs. The company has lobbied for the Equality Act, funded the Black Lives Matter Foundation, and is a corporate partner of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce. For these reasons, Airbnb 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.
Airbnb canceled the reservations of customers who were attending a “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Virginia (1). Airbnb also banned a Filipino American from using its website after she attended an event hosted by a group that the SPLC deemed a “hate group” (2). Airbnb received a score of 100 on the Corporate Equality Index. Among other requirements, this means the company has a written policy pledging to vet vendors for LGBTQ policies (3)(4).
Charitable giving (including employee matching programs) policies or practices discriminate against charitable organizations based on views or religious beliefs.
Airbnb does not discriminate against religious organizations in its charitable giving (1).
Employment policies fail to protect against discrimination based on political affiliation/views and/or religion.
Airbnb does not provide viewpoint protections for its employees (1).
Uses corporate reputation to support ideological causes and/or organizations hostile to freedom of expression.
Airbnb is a member of the Business Coalition for the Equality Act (1). Airbnb has signed onto multiple amicus briefs, which include opposition to Trump’s travel ban, support for trans students using the bathroom of their choice, and including sexual orientation under Civil Rights act protections (2)(3)(4). The company 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 (5). Airbnb supports codifying abortion rights and its CEO Brian Chesky is a signatory to CEOs For Gun Safety (6)(7).
Uses corporate funds to advance ideological causes, organizations, or policies hostile to freedom of expression.
Airbnb 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). Airbnb pledged support to the Black Lives Matter movement and related causes (3)(4)(5). It even allegedly directed its customers to the BLM donation page when they tried to search for bookings through its site (6). Airbnb has also said that its “healthcare coverage supports reproductive rights and we will work to make sure our employees have the resources they need to make choices about their reproductive rights, as we committed to in 2021” (7)(8). The company is a corporate partner of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (9).
All links were last accessed and all information was updated on:
September 7, 2023
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