Merck & Co.
Risk Level:
Summary:
Merck's board and CEO actively use its corporate image to support ideological groups hostile to freedom of expression. Although there are no reported cases of firing employees for their beliefs, Merck lacks viewpoint protections. The company also will not work with vendors who lack LGBTQ nondiscrimination policies. Merck funds groups like Planned Parenthood with its corporate dollars and has made a donation to the Equality PAC. For these reasons, Merck 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.
Merck 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 Human Rights Campaign. Among other requirements, this means Merck has pledged to vet vendors based on LGBTQ policies (1).
Charitable giving (including employee matching programs) policies or practices discriminate against charitable organizations based on views or religious beliefs.
Merck will permit donations to religious organizations as long as the donation is “designated toward a program focused on the betterment of the community in general” (1).
Employment policies fail to protect against discrimination based on political affiliation/views and/or religion.
Merck does not protect its employees from viewpoint discrimination (1).
Uses corporate reputation to support ideological causes and/or organizations hostile to freedom of expression.
Uses corporate funds to advance ideological causes, organizations, or policies hostile to freedom of expression.
All links were last accessed and all information was updated on:
March 23, 2023
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