IKEA
Corprate Bias Ratings
Risk Level:
Summary:
IKEA is alleged to have fired an employee in Poland over his religious beliefs and opposition to advocating for LGBTQ issues. IKEA vets vendors according to LGBTQ policies, is a member of GARM, and signed the Business Coalition for the Equality Act. IKEA has donated to GLSEN and is a corporate partner of the HRC. However, it does not discriminate against religious organizations in its charitable giving. For these reasons, IKEA 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.
IKEA fired an employee in Poland when he protested against an LGBTQ event by posting Bible verses on the company’s internal network. Polish courts ruled against his case (1)(2). IKEA received a score of 100 on the Corporate Equality Index. Among other commitments, the company has a written policy pledging to vet vendors for LGBTQ policies (3)(4). IKEA is a member of the Global Alliance for Responsible Media, which aims to demonetize advertisements and suppress content that “vilifies” individuals based on sexual orientation and gender identity, discusses “debated social issues in a negative or partisan context” or spreads “hate speech” (5)(6)(7).
Charitable giving (including employee matching programs) policies or practices discriminate against charitable organizations based on views or religious beliefs.
IKEA does not discriminate against religious organizations in its charitable giving (1).
Employment policies fail to protect against discrimination based on political affiliation/views and/or religion.
Ikea protects its employees against viewpoint discrimination (1).
Uses corporate reputation to support ideological causes and/or organizations hostile to freedom of expression.
IKEA is a member of the Business Coalition for the Equality Act and signed onto a 2019 amicus brief supporting the inclusion of sexual orientation in Civil Rights law protections (1)(2). The company also 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 (3).
Uses corporate funds to advance ideological causes, organizations, or policies hostile to freedom of expression.
IKEA 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). IKEA is a member of the Global Alliance for Responsible Media (3)(4)(5). The company donates to GLSEN, which promotes anti-harassment policies and LGBTQ ideology (6). IKEA is a national corporate partner of the HRC Foundation (7).
Uses corporate political contributions for ideological, non-business purposes.
IKEA does not operate a PAC at this time (1).
All links were last accessed and all information was updated on:
December 5, 2023
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