IBM

Risk Level:

High Risk

Summary:

International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) leverages its corporate wealth and prestige to advance ideological policies, causes, and organizations. It funds the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), and Planned Parenthood and regularly uses its brand to back ideological policies. It does not protect employees from viewpoint discrimination. It has not fired clients or employees based on their beliefs. For these reasons, IBM 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

IBM 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 HRC. Among other requirements, this means IBM 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

IBM does not discriminate against religious organizations in its charitable giving (1)(2).

Criteria

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

Risk Level

Rationale

IBM 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

IBM affirms gender transitions for those who wish to do so (1). IBM has also used its corporate image to express support for the Equality Act and opposition to state-led voter and election security initiatives (2) (3) (4). IBM has also been an open supporter of legislation involving police and immigration reform for DREAMERS (5) (6). 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 (7).

Criteria

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

Risk Level

Rationale

IBM is a corporate 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 (4).

Criteria

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

Risk Level

Rationale

IBM does not utilize PAC donations (1) (2). IBM did use corporate funds to lobby in favor of the Equality Act and other ideological causes (3) (4).

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

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