Mars Inc.
Risk Level:
Summary:
Mars Inc. has not terminated business relationships due to religious or political views, though it does vet suppliers according to its LGBTQ policies. The company does not have viewpoint protections for its employees. Mars has lobbied to support the Equality Act, and a senior executive at Mars has issued an op-ed opposing a minimum age for gender transition surgeries. Mars has donated to the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), a partisan LGBTQ advocacy organization. For these reasons, Mars 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.
Charitable giving (including employee matching programs) policies or practices discriminate against charitable organizations based on views or religious beliefs.
Mars’ foundation, The Mars Wrigley Foundation, is focused on oral healthcare and environmental protection. The company does not discriminate against faith-based charities (1).
Employment policies fail to protect against discrimination based on political affiliation/views and/or religion.
Mars does not protect employees from viewpoint discrimination (1).
Uses corporate reputation to support ideological causes and/or organizations hostile to freedom of expression.
Mars has signed open letters opposing “bathroom bills” (1). A Mars senior executive co-authored an op-ed opposing a minimum age for gender transition surgeries (2). The op-ed claimed that companies must use their corporate power to oppose such legislation. The company supports the Equality Act and opposes bans on transgender athletes in female sports (3)(4). Mars also opposed Florida’s law that prevents public schools from teaching young kids about gender and sexuality (5). Mars’ Twitter account also criticized then-President Trump’s views on immigration (6). M&M, a Mars brand, released a new “female-only” wrapper featuring only “female” M&M characters including new lesbian M&Ms and a “plus-size” character to represent body positivity (7).
Uses corporate funds to advance ideological causes, organizations, or policies hostile to freedom of expression.
Mars has funded GLAAD and other LGBTQ advocacy groups (1). It has not funded other ideological groups hostile to freedom of expression.
Uses corporate political contributions for ideological, non-business purposes.
Mars lobbied for the Equality Act (1).
All links were last accessed and all information was updated on:
March 24, 2023
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