Caterpillar
Corprate Bias Ratings
Risk Level:
Summary:
Caterpillar does not provide viewpoint protections for its employees but has not publicly terminated business relationships based on views or beliefs. Caterpillar discriminates against religious organizations in its charitable giving guidelines and is a signatory of the Business Roundtable's 2019 Statement on the Purpose of Corporation, which promotes stakeholder capitalism. Caterpillar pledged $1 million to BLM and related causes and supported Planned Parenthood in 2019. However, it has not used its political contributions for ideological purposes. For these reasons, Caterpillar 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.
Caterpillar has not publicly fired customers, suppliers, or vendors based on political views or religious beliefs.
Charitable giving (including employee matching programs) policies or practices discriminate against charitable organizations based on views or religious beliefs.
Caterpillar does not match gifts to “tithes, church-related commitments, religious organizations classified by the IRS” (1).
Employment policies fail to protect against discrimination based on political affiliation/views and/or religion.
Caterpillar does not provide viewpoint protections for its employees (1).
Uses corporate reputation to support ideological causes and/or organizations hostile to freedom of expression.
Caterpillar has posted a brief public statement under the “Political Engagement” section of its website affirming its support for equal access to the right to vote in response to election security laws in various states (1). The CEO of Caterpillar, James Umpleby III, 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 (2)(3). Caterpillar has advocated for LGBT causes through blog posts on its website (4).
Uses corporate funds to advance ideological causes, organizations, or policies hostile to freedom of expression.
All links were last accessed and all information was updated on:
December 6, 2023
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Voting History
| Date | ESG Category | Proponent | Summary of Resolution | Mgmt Rec | Total Vote % in Favor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/14/23 | Governance | Myra K. Young | Provide Disclosure on Direct and Indirect Lobbying | Against | 28.90% |
| 6/14/23 | Environmental | John Chevedden | Report on how Caterpillar Lobbying and Policy Activities Align with the Goal of the Paris Agreement | Against | 28.10% |
| 6/14/23 | Social | Wespath Benefits and Investments | Report on Business Activities in Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas | Against | 14.18% |
| 6/14/23 | Social | National Center for Public Policy Research | Audit Analyzing the Impacts of the Company's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policies | Against | 1.70% |
| 6/8/22 | Environmental | As You Sow | Report on Long-Term Greenhouse Gas Targets Aligned with Paris Agreement | Against | 95.50% |
| 6/8/22 | Social | Myra K. Young | Report on Lobbying | Against | 44.28% |
| 6/8/22 | Governance | John Chevedden | Special Meetings - Reduce Ownership Req. to 10% | Against | 43.22% |
| 6/8/22 | Social | Wespath Benefits & Investments | Report on Activities in Conflict-Affected Areas | Against | 10.37% |