
Merck & Co.
Corprate Bias Ratings
Risk Level:
Summary:
Merck vets vendors according to LGBTQ policies, is part of the Global Alliance for Responsible Media, and does not provide its employees with protections against viewpoint discrimination, but has not publicly terminated business relationships based on views or beliefs. The company indirectly funds Planned Parenthood and covers the cost of "medically necessary transition-related care" for its employees and their children. Merck pledged $20 million to BLM and related causes. The company discriminates against religious organizations in its charitable giving and supports and funds LGBTQ causes and organizations. 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 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). The company 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, it 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.
Merck will not permit donations to “religious organizations or groups whose activities are primarily sectarian in purpose” (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.
Merck 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). The company has signed letters supporting the Equality Act and opposing state-level elections security bills (3)(4)(5). CEO Robert Davis is a member of the Business Roundtable, but has not supported ideological initiatives (6).
Uses corporate funds to advance ideological causes, organizations, or policies hostile to freedom of expression.
Merck does both, directly and indirectly, fund Planned Parenthood through partnering with affiliate groups and organizations such as the Family Planning 2020 program (1)(2). Merck is a member of the Global Alliance for Responsible Media (3)(4)(5). The company has pledged over $20 million to the Black Lives Matter movement and related causes, though it is unclear which organizations received funding (6)(7). Merck is a copper sponsor of Out & Equal and a corporate partner of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (8)(9).
All links were last accessed and all information was updated on:
July 4, 2023
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Voting History
Date | ESG Category | Proponent | Summary of Resolution | Mgmt Rec | Total Vote % in Favor |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
5/23/23 | Governance | Kenneth Steiner | Independent Board Chairman | Against | 27.80% |
5/23/23 | Social | Oxfam America, Inc. | Access to COVID-19 Products | Against | 26.40% |
5/23/23 | Social | The Province of Saint Joseph of the Capuchin Order | Patents and Access | Against | 23.80% |
5/23/23 | Governance | Boston Common Asset Management | Indirect Political Spending | Against | 6.20% |
5/23/23 | Social | National Legal and Policy Center | Business Operations in China | Against | 3.20% |
5/23/23 | Social | The National Center for Public Policy Research | Congruency Report of Partnerships with Globalist Organizations | Against | 1.00% |
5/24/22 | Social | Oxfam America, Inc. | Report on Access to COVID-19 Products | Against | 35.97% |
5/24/22 | Governance | Kenneth Steiner | Require Independent Board Chair | Against | 34.50% |
5/24/22 | Social | National Legal and Policy Center | Report on Lobbying Payments and Policy | Against | 16.09% |