IBM
Corprate Bias Ratings
Risk Level:
Summary:
International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) vets vendors according to LGBTQ policies and does not provide its employees with protections against viewpoint discrimination, but has not publicly terminated business relationships based on views or beliefs. The company covers the cost of "medically necessary transition-related care" for its employees and their children. The company matches donations to Planned Parenthood and is a corporate partner of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). IBM funds the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) and regularly uses its brand to back ideological policies. The company is a signatory of the Business Roundtable's 2019 Statement on the Purpose of Corporation, which promotes stakeholder capitalism. For these reasons, IBM 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.
IBM has not publicly terminated business relationships due to religious beliefs or political views. The company received a score of 100 on the HRC’s Corporate Equality Index. Among other requirements, this means IBM has pledged to vet vendors based on LGBTQ policies (1). IBM subsidiary Red Hat Software has received a score of 100 on the Corporate Equality Index (2).
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.
IBM does not protect its employees from viewpoint discrimination (1).
Uses corporate reputation to support ideological causes and/or organizations hostile to freedom of expression.
IBM 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 affirms gender transitions for those who wish to do so (3). IBM has also used its corporate image to express support for the Equality Act and opposition to state-led voter and election security initiatives (4)(5)(6). IBM has also been an open supporter of legislation involving police and immigration reform for DREAMERS (7). The company signed an open letter opposing a Florida bill that would prevent teaching gender identity and sexual orientation in schools to kids in K-3rd grade (8). IBM is also a partner of OneTen, prioritizing race in its hiring practices (9). CEO Arvind Krishna is a member of the Business Roundtable and Former CEO Ginni Rometty signed its 2019 Statement on the Purpose of Corporation, which promotes stakeholder capitalism over traditional obligations to shareholders and customers (10)(11). Red Hat Software has also expressed support for the Equality Act (12).
Uses corporate funds to advance ideological causes, organizations, or policies hostile to freedom of expression.
IBM is a bronze partner of the HRC and has given more than $1 million to GLAAD (1)(2). IBM also enables charitable gift-matching donations to Planned Parenthood (3). IBM is a Bronze sponsor of Out and Equal and a founding corporate partner of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (4)(5). IBM used to fund only minorities through portions of its scholarship program but backtracked following conservative reports on the issue (6).
All links were last accessed and all information was updated on:
November 29, 2023
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Voting History
| Date | ESG Category | Proponent | Summary of Resolution | Mgmt Rec | Total Vote % in Favor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/25/23 | Governance | John Chevedden | Public Report on Lobbying Activities | Against | 48.10% |
| 4/25/23 | Social | Jay Stanley Weisfeld Trust | Report on Harassment and Discrimination Prevention | Against | 33.10% |
| 4/25/23 | Governance | Kenneth Steiner | Independent Board Chairman | Against | 25.90% |
| 4/25/23 | Social | National Center for Public Policy Research | Report on Operations in China and ESG Activities | Against | 7.10% |
| 4/26/22 | Social | Jay Stanley Weisfeld Trust | Public Report on the Use of Concealment Clauses | Against | 64.70% |
| 4/26/22 | Governance | Kenneth Steiner | Require Independent Board Chair | Against | 39.80% |
| 4/26/22 | Governance | John Chevedden | Special Meetings - Reduce Ownership Req. to 10% | Against | 35.50% |