
eBay
Corprate Bias Ratings
Risk Level:
Summary:
eBay limited the sale of legal firearm components and has removed Dr. Seuss' books from its site due to "offensive imagery," while other offensive and violent material has been sold using eBay's platform. eBay vets vendors according to LGBTQ policies and does not protect its employees against viewpoint discrimination. The company covers the cost of "medically necessary transition-related care" for its employees and their children. eBay discriminates against religious organizations in its charitable giving and supports the Equality Act. For these reasons, eBay 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.
eBay received a score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index. Among other requirements, this means the company has a written policy pledging to vet vendors for LGBTQ policies (1)(2). In 2022, eBay banned users from reselling six Dr. Seuss books that had recently been pulled from publication due to “offensive” imagery, although it has allowed the sale of several overtly racist and/or anti-Semitic works as well as a Black Lives Matter-supporting T-shirt that depicts a police officer being executed (3)(4).
Charitable giving (including employee matching programs) policies or practices discriminate against charitable organizations based on views or religious beliefs.
Employment policies fail to protect against discrimination based on political affiliation/views and/or religion.
Uses corporate reputation to support ideological causes and/or organizations hostile to freedom of expression.
eBay is a member of the Business Coalition for the Equality Act (1). In 2016, eBay signed the HRC’s amicus brief that voiced opposition to North Carolina’s HB2 bill (2). Then-CEO Devin Wenig sent out a large, thinly-veiled denunciation of Trump to all staff in the form of a memo after his victory in the 2016 election (3). Current CEO Jamie Iannone has been a vocal proponent of the Black Lives Matter movement (4). eBay’s Human Rights Policy Statement declares that the company “stands against legislation that opposes (LGBTQ) rights” (5). In 2007, eBay banned the sale of many firearm components that are legal for purchase in most states and has made the guidelines stricter as time has gone on (6).
Uses corporate funds to advance ideological causes, organizations, or policies hostile to freedom of expression.
eBay 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). The company has contributed funds to Planned Parenthood (3). eBay has pledged support to Black Lives Matter and related causes (4)(5)(6)(7)(8).
All links were last accessed and all information was updated on:
November 28, 2023
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Voting History
Date | ESG Category | Proponent | Summary of Resolution | Mgmt Rec | Total Vote % in Favor |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
6/21/23 | Governance | John Chevedden | Give the Owners of 10% of Common Stock the Power to Call a Special Shareholder Meeting | Against | 47.40% |
6/8/22 | Governance | John Chevedden | Special Meetings - Reduce Ownership Req. to 10% | Against | 48.88% |