GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)

United Kingdom
Pharmaceuticals Biotechnology and Life Sciences

Corprate Bias Ratings

Risk Level:

Rating - Caution
Medium Risk

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) 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. GSK discriminates against faith-based organizations in its charitable giving and supports and funds LGBTQ causes and organizations. The company covers the cost of "medically necessary transition-related care" for its employees and their children. It also covers abortion-related travel costs for employees and promotes the right to abortion. GSK has not used its PAC for ideological purposes. For these reasons, GlaxoSmithKline 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

GSK has not publicly terminated business relationships due to religious beliefs or political views. The company received a score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) Corporate Equality Index. Among other requirements, this means the company has pledged to vet vendors based on LGBTQ policies (1)(2).

Criteria

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

Risk Level
Rationale

GSK discriminates against religious organizations in its charitable giving (1).

Criteria

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

Risk Level
Rationale

GSK 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

GSK has signed an open letter in support of the Equality Act (1). GSK is a founding member of the Proud Science Alliance, which describes itself as “a collective of healthcare and life sciences sector LGBTQ+ networks who work together to raise the bar on LGBTQ+ inclusion within their organizations and the sector as a whole” (2). GSK spoke out in favor of abortion rights following the overturning of Roe v. Wade (3). The company has also posted blog posts that highlight its support for LGBT causes (4).

Criteria

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

Risk Level
Rationale

GSK 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). GSK has also pledged to cover abortion travel costs across state lines for employees’ abortions (3). The company is a corporate partner of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (4).

Criteria

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

Risk Level
Rationale

GSK has not used its PAC donations for ideological purposes (1).

All links were last accessed and all information was updated on:
September 24, 2023

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