Gap Inc.

California
Retailing

Risk Level:

Rating - Danger
High Risk

Summary:

Gap has not publicly fired employees or canceled contracts due to religious or political beliefs. However, it does not offer viewpoint protections to employees, and the company uses its corporate reputation to advance ideological causes and policies. Gap uses its corporate funds to indirectly support Planned Parenthood and GenderCool an LGBTQ organization. To its credit Gap has not used its PAC for ideological purposes, and does not discriminate against religious organizations in its charitable giving. It has not reliably stayed away from ideological causes or pledged to serve all clients regardless of views. For these reasons, Gap Inc. receives a High 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

Gap has not publicly terminated business relationships due to religious beliefs or political views. The company received a score of 100 on the Corporate Equality Index from the Human Rights Campaign. Among other requirements, this means Gap has pledged to vet vendors based on LGBTQ policies  (1).

Criteria

Charitable giving (including employee matching programs) policies or practices discriminate against charitable organizations based on views or religious beliefs.

Risk Level
Rationale

Despite saying that the company will not match gifts to religious organizations, Gap will donate to religious charities (including programs run by a house of worship) that “perform a social service” (1).

Criteria

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

Risk Level
Rationale

Gap does not protect its employees from viewpoint discrimination (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

Gap has signed open letters in support of the Equality Act and supporting transgender participation in youth sports (1)(2). Gap has embraced the Black Lives Matter movement, including launching a billboard in Times Square in June 2020 in the wake of the events surrounding George Floyd (3). Gap opposed the Florida Parental Rights in Education Act, which prohibits teaching gender identity and sexual orientation in schools to kids in K-3rd grade (4). Gap partnered with artists to create a Pride Month collection and has a partnership with UN Free & Equal (5).

Criteria

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

Risk Level
Rationale

Gap indirectly supports Planned Parenthood through third parties (1). Gap donated $50,000 to the GenderCool, an LGBTQ organization (2). Gap  and its subsidiary Banana Republic pledged a combined $550,000 to the Black Lives Matter movement and related causes (3)(4)(5).

Criteria

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

Risk Level
Rationale

Gap has not used its PAC for ideological purposes and has not donated to ideological PACs (1).

All links were last accessed and all information was updated on:
March 29, 2023

Company reports are intended for educational use only. Full Disclaimer

Generate Reports
Clear
Toast