Best Buy

Minnesota
Retailing

Corprate Bias Ratings

Risk Level:

Rating - Caution
Medium Risk

Best Buy vets vendors according to LGBTQ policies and does not provide its employees with protections against viewpoint discrimination. However, Best Buy 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. Best Buy is a Bronze partner of the HRC, a corporate partner of the NGLCC, and uses its reputation and funds to support LGBTQ causes and organizations. Best Buy is a signatory of the Business Roundtable's 2019 Statement on the Purpose of Corporation and is committed to carbon neutrality by 2040. For these reasons, Best Buy receives a Medium Risk rating.

Criteria
Risk Level
Rationale
Corporate Weaponization
Criteria

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.

Risk Level
Rationale

Best Buy received a score of 100 on the Corporate Equality Index from the Human Rights Campaign (1)(2). Among other requirements, this means Best Buy has a written policy requiring suppliers not to discriminate on the basis of LGBTQ identity. Best Buy incorporates ESG principles into its business practices, including its supplier diversity and environmental goals (3). Best Buy has not publicly fired customers, suppliers, or vendors based on political views or religious beliefs.

Criteria

Charitable giving (including employee matching programs) policies or practices discriminate against charitable organizations based on views or religious beliefs.

Risk Level
Rationale

Best Buy will not match employee donations to churches or religious organizations (1).

Criteria

Employment policies fail to protect against discrimination based on political affiliation/views and/or religion.

Risk Level
Rationale

Best Buy does not provide viewpoint protections for its employees (1).

Corporate Governance and Public Policy
Criteria

Uses corporate reputation to support ideological causes and/or organizations hostile to freedom of expression.

Risk Level
Rationale

Best Buy signed the Business Coalition for the Equality Act and issued a statement urging state legislators to vote no on election reform bills that “restrict voter access” (1)(2). Best Buy is an advocate of progressive gender ideology, supporting LGBTQ Pride Month and various LGBTQ events affirming transgender ideology (3)(4). CEO Corie Barry 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 (5)(6). Best Buy is a Ceres Network Member, committed to net zero carbon emissions by 2040 (7)(8).

Criteria

Uses corporate funds to advance ideological causes, organizations, or policies hostile to freedom of expression.

Risk Level
Rationale

Best Buy is a bronze partner of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and a corporate partner of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (1)(2). Best Buy 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 (3)(4).

Criteria

Uses corporate political contributions for ideological, non-business purposes.

Risk Level
Rationale

Best Buy has not used its PAC donations for ideological purposes and lobbies in a manner consistent with its business interests (1)(2)(3).

All links were last accessed and all information was updated on:
November 28, 2023

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