Block (Square)

Cash App, Afterpay
California
Payment Processing

Corprate Bias Ratings

Risk Level:

Rating - Caution
Medium Risk

Although Block (formerly Square Inc.), an American technology conglomerate, does not have viewpoint protections for employees, it has not fired anyone for religious or political beliefs. The company advocates for the Equality Act and against state laws it deems "anti-LGBTQ." Block also covers travel expenses for employees' out-of-state abortions. For these reasons, Block 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

Block 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

Block does not appear to discriminate against faith-based charities in its giving (1).

Criteria

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

Risk Level
Rationale

Block 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

Block (then Square, Inc.) issued a statement in 2015 opposing a Religious Freedom Restoration Act law in Indiana (1). The company also signed a letter in support of the Equality Act (2). The company also hosts internal bias training for hiring managers (3). Square opposed the Florida Parental Rights in Education Act, which prohibits teaching gender identity and sexual orientation in schools to kids in K-3rd grade (4). Block’s CEO Jack Dorsey is a signatory to CEOs For Gun Safety (5).

Criteria

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

Risk Level
Rationale

Block does undermine state laws by paying for expenses its employees incur to get an abortion out of state (1).

Criteria

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

Risk Level
N/A
Rationale

Block does not operate a PAC at this time.

All links were last accessed and all information was updated on:
October 7, 2023

Company reports are intended for educational use only. Full Disclaimer

Voting History

Date
ESG Category
Proponent
Summary of ResolutionMgmt RecTotal Vote % in Favor
6/13/23SocialNia Impact CapitalReport on Effectivness of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion EffortsAgainst14.80%
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