Cognizant Technology Solutions

New Jersey
Software and Services

Corprate Bias Ratings

Risk Level:

Rating - Caution
Medium Risk

Cognizant Technology Solutions, a technology company, vets vendors according to LGBTQ policies and does not provide its employees with protections against viewpoint discrimination. It has not publicly terminated business relationships based on views or beliefs, though. The company covers the cost of "medically necessary transition-related care” for its employees and their children. Cognizant is a signatory of the Business Roundtable's 2019 Statement on the Purpose of Corporation, which promotes stakeholder capitalism. For these reasons, Cognizant Technology Solutions 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

Cognizant Technology Solutions received a score of 100 on the Corporate Equality Index (1)(2). Among other requirements, this means the company has a written policy pledging to vet vendors for LGBTQ policies (3). However, 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

Cognizant’s areas of focus are economic mobility, education, health and well-being, and diversity and inclusion (1). The company does not have an employee match program. No evidence of discrimination against organizations based on viewpoint or religious beliefs was found.

Criteria

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

Risk Level
Rationale

Cognizant 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

Company CEO Ravi Kumar is a member of the Business Roundtable and Former CEO Brian Humphries signed its 2019 Statement on the Purpose of Corporation, which promotes stakeholder capitalism over traditional obligations to shareholders and customers (1)(2). Cognizant also embraced rhetoric regarding ongoing systemic racism (3)(4). It has also posted a blog post on its website in celebration of Pride Month, which outlines its support of LGBT causes and events it will hold or participate in that pushes LGBT causes (5).

Criteria

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

Risk Level
Rationale

Cognizant 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 (1)(2).

Criteria

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

Risk Level
Rationale

Cognizant has not used its political contributions for ideological purposes (1)(2).

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

Company reports are intended for educational use only. Full Disclaimer

Voting History

Date
ESG Category
Proponent
Summary of ResolutionMgmt RecTotal Vote % in Favor
6/6/23GovernanceJohn CheveddenShareholder Ratification of Termination PayAgainst8.70%
6/7/22GovernanceJohn CheveddenSpecial Meetings- Reduce 1-Year Holding Req. From 10% OwnershipAgainst8.34%
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