Johnson & Johnson
Corprate Bias Ratings
Risk Level:
Summary:
Johnson and Johnson (J&J) vets vendors according to LGBTQ policies and does not provide its employees with protections against viewpoint discrimination. However, it has not publicly terminated business relationships based on views or beliefs. J&J pledged $10 million to BLM and related causes, is a corporate partner of the HRC, and a founding member of the PGLE. J&J covers the cost of "medically necessary transition-related care" for its employees and their children and is a signatory of the Business Roundtable's 2019 Statement on the Purpose of Corporation. J&J has donated to the Equality PAC and lobbies in an ideological manner. However, it does not discriminate against religious organizations in its charitable giving. For these reasons, J&J 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.
J&J received a score of 100 on the Corporate Equality Index from the Human Rights Campaign. Among other requirements, this means J&J has pledged to vet vendors based on LGBTQ policies (1). J&J 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” (2)(3)(4). However, the company has not publicly terminated business relationships due to religious beliefs or political views.
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.
Uses corporate reputation to support ideological causes and/or organizations hostile to freedom of expression.
J&J is a founding member of the PGLE which is an LGBTIQ+ equality and inclusion advocacy group. This reflects J&J’s commitment to “operationalize” company coverage of transgender surgery and treatment, the vetting of business partners based on LGBTQ+ policies, and the financial support of LGBTQ organizations on a global level (1)(2)(3). J&J is a member of the Business Coalition for the Equality Act and signed legislation in opposition to the Anti-LGBTQ+ legislation (4)(5). J&J spoke out against the Georgia voting integrity legislation and 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 (6)(7). J&J CEO Joaquin Duato is a member of the Business Roundtable and Former CEO Alex Gorsky signed its 2019 Statement on the Purpose of Corporation, which promotes stakeholder capitalism over traditional obligations to shareholders and customers (8)(9).
Uses corporate funds to advance ideological causes, organizations, or policies hostile to freedom of expression.
J&J 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). J&J is a member of the Global Alliance for Responsible Media (3)(4)(5). J&J is a bronze partner of the HRC and a corporate partner of the NGLCC (6)(7). J&J has a matching gift program to Planned Parenthood and has pledged $10 million over a span of three years to the BLM movement and related causes (8)(9)(10).
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/27/23 | Social | Oxfam America, Inc. | Vaccine Pricing Report | Against | 31.30% |
| 4/27/23 | Social | Mercy Investment Services, Inc. | Impact of Extended Patent Exclusivities on Product Access | Against | 14.20% |
| 4/28/22 | Social | Mercy Investment Services | Third Party Racial Equity Audit | Against | 62.64% |
| 4/28/22 | Governance | Vermont Pension Investment Committee | Adopt Policy to Include Legal & Compliance Costs in Incent. Compensation Metrics | Against | 47.71% |
| 4/28/22 | Social | SHARE (Sharehldr Assoc for Research & Educ | Third Party Report on Lobbying Activities Alignment with Public Statements | Against | 43.26% |
| 4/28/22 | Social | Oxfam America, Inc. | Report on Government Financial Support & Access to COVID-19 Vaccines | Against | 33.80% |
| 4/28/22 | Social | Tulipshare Ltd. | Discontinue Global Sales of Baby Powder Containing Talc | Against | 15.63% |
| 4/28/22 | Governance | Myra K. Young | Consider Pay Disparity Between Executives and Other Employees | Against | 10.83% |
| 4/28/22 | Social | Harrington Investments, Inc. | Report on Public Health Costs of Protecting Vaccine Technology | Against | 8.68% |
| 4/28/22 | Social | National Legal and Policy Center | Request for Charitable Donations Disclosure | Against | 4.07% |
| 4/28/22 | Social | National Center for Public Policy Research | Civil Rights, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Audit | Against | 2.74% |