John Deere (Deere & Co.)
Corprate Bias Ratings
Risk Level:
Summary:
Deere & Co., branded as John Deere, vets vendors according to LGBTQ policies, but has not publicly terminated business relationships based on views or beliefs. The company also covers the cost of "medically necessary transition-related care" for its employees and their children. John Deere may exclude certain religious organizations from its charitable giving, and does not provide viewpoint protections for its employees. However, John Deere pledged $1 million to BLM and related causes and is a copper sponsor of Out & Equal. John Deere is a signatory of the Business Roundtable's 2019 Statement on the Purpose of Corporation, which promotes stakeholder capitalism. The company has not used its political contributions to advance ideological causes, though. For these reasons, John Deere receives a Medium 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.
Deere & Co., otherwise known as John Deere, has not publicly fired customers, suppliers, or vendors based on political views or religious beliefs. The company received a score of 90 on the Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) Corporate Equality Index. Among other requirements, this means the company has a written policy pledging to vet vendors for LGBTQ policies (1)(2).
Charitable giving (including employee matching programs) policies or practices discriminate against charitable organizations based on views or religious beliefs.
Deere & Co. will not provide grants to religious groups that “perform ministry, proselytization, or advocacy for any specific religious worldview” but acknowledges that “faith-motivated organizations may be considered eligible, at the sole discretion of John Deere and the John Deere Foundation, if the organizations serve a secular purpose” (1). Deere’s gift matching program does permit donations to religious colleges and universities but not to seminaries. Religious groups for “sectarian purposes” are also ineligible for gifts (2). Deere has given to religious organizations for a secular or community purpose (3).
Employment policies fail to protect against discrimination based on political affiliation/views and/or religion.
Deere & Co. does not provide viewpoint protections for its employees (1).
Uses corporate reputation to support ideological causes and/or organizations hostile to freedom of expression.
John Deere’s CEO, John C. May, is a member of the Business Roundtable and Former CEO Samuel R. Allen signed its 2019 Statement on the Purpose of Corporation, which promotes stakeholder capitalism over traditional obligations to shareholders and customers (1)(2). The company has advocated for LGBT causes on its social media accounts and has been recognized for its LGBTQ advocacy efforts (3)(4).
Uses corporate funds to advance ideological causes, organizations, or policies hostile to freedom of expression.
John Deere has a score of 90 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). John Deere’s foundation has given to multiple branches of the ACLU and to Planned Parenthood through its gift-matching program (3). Deere also pledged $1 million to the Black Lives Matter movement and related causes (4)(5). John Deere is also a copper sponsor of Out & Equal (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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/22/23 | Governance | John Chevedden | Require Shareholder Approval of Termination Pay | Against | 41.20% |
| 2/23/22 | Governance | John Chevedden | Remove 1-Year Holding Req. to Call Special Meeting | Against | 17.41% |