Bristol Myers Squibb
Risk Level:
Summary:
Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) fired multiple employees who refused to get Covid-19 vaccinations due to religious reasons. BMS settled with those employees after a wrongful termination lawsuit. Despite this, the company claims to provide religious and political affiliation protections for its employees in the company's nondiscrimination policy. Bristol Myers Squibb supported the Equality Act and "health equity," though it has not publicly funded abortion travel benefits for employees. BMS does permit gift-matching donations to religious organizations with a secular cause but not to churches or religious commitments. For these reasons, Bristol Myers Squibb 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.
Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) terminated former employees due to their Covid-19 vaccination status; several employees have sued Bristol Myers Squibb for religious discrimination (violation of Title VII) due to lack of religious exemptions offered or denied (1). Bristol Myers Squibb settled one of the wrongful termination lawsuits in January 2023 (2). The company received a score of 100 on the Corporate Equality Index from the Human Rights Campaign. Among other requirements, this means BMS has pledged to vet vendors based on LGBTQ policies (1).
Charitable giving (including employee matching programs) policies or practices discriminate against charitable organizations based on views or religious beliefs.
Bristol Myers Squibb does not have a policy prohibiting donations to religious organizations (1). However, BMS will not match employee donations to churches or other religious organizations that lack a separate charitable tax exempt entity (2). The policy states, “Gifts to religious or sectarian organizations will be matched only if and to the extent the charity provides social services to the community on a nondiscriminatory basis without any religious teaching or promotion of a particular faith, creed or doctrine and operates these services under a separate 501(c)(3).”
Employment policies fail to protect against discrimination based on political affiliation/views and/or religion.
BMS protects its employees from religious and political viewpoint discrimination in its employee nondiscrimination policy (1).
Uses corporate reputation to support ideological causes and/or organizations hostile to freedom of expression.
BMS signed an open letter in support of the Equality Act (1). The company has not otherwise used its brand to support ideological causes or organizations.
Uses corporate funds to advance ideological causes, organizations, or policies hostile to freedom of expression.
BMS has donated to Planned Parenthood through its employee giving program, though it does not appear to have made direct donations to Planned Parenthood (1). It has not used corporate funds to support other ideological organizations hostile to free expression. Bristol Myers Squibb has not publicly announced whether the company will fund travel and expenses related to out-of-state abortions for its employees, though it did say it is committed to “healthy equity” and is listening to employees (2).
Uses corporate political contributions for ideological, non-business purposes.
Bristol Myers Squibb does not use its PAC for ideological purposes (1).
All links were last accessed and all information was updated on:
March 21, 2023
Company reports are intended for educational use only. Full Disclaimer