Charles River Laboratories scored an 80 out of 100 on the 2023-2024 Corporate Equality Index (CEI) from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), a political stakeholder group. By complying with the HRC’s controversial demands, Charles River Laboratories increases the risk of dividing employees, alienating customers and harming shareholders. The company provides a benefits package for employees which covers transgender medical procedures for covered employees and dependents, including children. It also uses sex and gender ideology criteria in employee recruitment, vendor selection, marketing, and philanthropic support. Charles River uses its reputation, corporate funds, and political influence to support controversial sex and gender ideologies, organizations, and legislation. The company plans to train its recruiting teams to mitigate unconscious bias. Charles River also promotes a featured story on its website detailing changes the company is making to align with LGBTQ causes and LGBTQ events the company is hosting and participating in. The company opposed various state and local legislation intended to protect parental rights, girls’ sports, bathroom facilities, and gendered spaces. Charles River’s CEO, James C. Foster, signed the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion pledge, which includes a commitment to promote DEI through bias education training in the workplace. The company is a corporate partner of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce. For these reasons, Charles River receives a High Risk rating.