
Baxter International
Corprate Bias Ratings
Risk Level:
Summary:
Baxter International vets vendors according to LGBTQ policies and does not provide its employees with protections against viewpoint discrimination. However, it has not publicly terminated business relationships based on views or beliefs. The company covers the cost of "medically necessary transition-related care” for its employees and their children. Baxter funds the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and pledged over $6 million to BLM and related causes. The company hosts mandatory unconscious bias trainings for employees and is a corporate partner of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce. Baxter International is a signatory of the Business Roundtable's 2019 Statement on the Purpose of Corporation, which promotes stakeholder capitalism. The company is a Ceres Network Member, committed to carbon neutrality by 2040. However, the company does not use its PAC contributions for ideological purposes. For these reasons, Baxter International receives a Medium 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.
Baxter International received a score of 100 on the Corporate Equality Index from the HRC (1)(2). Among other requirements, this means the company has pledged to vet vendors for LGBTQ policies. However, the company has not publicly terminated business relationships due to political views or religious beliefs.
Charitable giving (including employee matching programs) policies or practices discriminate against charitable organizations based on views or religious beliefs.
Employment policies fail to protect against discrimination based on political affiliation/views and/or religion.
Baxter International does not provide viewpoint protections for its employees (1).
Uses corporate reputation to support ideological causes and/or organizations hostile to freedom of expression.
Baxter International requires all employees to complete unconscious bias training (1). Baxter International’s CEO signed the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion pledge, which includes a commitment to promote DEI through bias education training in the workplace (2). Baxter partners with the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (3). Baxter CEO José Almeida is a member of the Business Roundtable and signed its 2019 Statement on the Purpose of Corporation, which promotes stakeholder capitalism over traditional obligations to shareholders and customers (4)(5). Baxter International is a Ceres Network Member, committed to net zero carbon emissions by 2040 (6)(7).
Uses corporate funds to advance ideological causes, organizations, or policies hostile to freedom of expression.
Baxter International 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). In 2020, the HRC listed Baxter as a supporter of its Report on Discrimination of Black LGBTQ people (3). Baxter has also pledged over $6 million to the Black Lives Matter movement and related causes (4)(5). The company is a corporate partner of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (6).
Uses corporate political contributions for ideological, non-business purposes.
Baxter Healthcare Inc., a subsidiary of Baxter International, does not use its PAC donations for ideological purposes (1).
All links were last accessed and all information was updated on:
December 5, 2023
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Voting History
Date | ESG Category | Proponent | Summary of Resolution | Mgmt Rec | Total Vote % in Favor |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
5/2/23 | Governance | John Chevedden | Require Executives to Retain Significant Stock | Against | 31.20% |
5/2/23 | Governance | Kenneth Steiner | Require Shareholder Approval of Termination Pay | Against | 9.70% |
5/3/22 | Governance | John Chevedden | Special Meetings - Reduce Ownership Req. to 10% | Against | 34.88% |
5/3/22 | Governance | Kenneth Steiner | Independent Board Chair | Against | 22.73% |