Microsoft

LinkedIn, Bing, Skype, GitHub, Flipgrid, Mojang, Xbox, Yammer, Xandr, Nuance Communications
Redmond, Washington
Media and Entertainment, Software and Services, Web Browsers

Corporate Bias Rating

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Risk Level:

Rating - Danger
High Risk

Summary:

Microsoft-owned LinkedIn suspended the account of presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy for violating its policies related to "misinformation, hate speech, and violence" when he shared videos about climate policy and President Biden's relationship to China. A Microsoft subsidiary, Xandr, previously utilized a secret blacklist to prevent advertising on conservative-leaning news sites. Microsoft scored a 100 on the 2023 Corporate Equality Index (CEI) from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), a political stakeholder group. By complying with Human Rights Campaign’s controversial demands, Microsoft and its subsidiaries increase the risk of dividing employees, alienating customers and harming shareholders. The company covers transgender-related medical costs for its employees and their children and provides specific sexual orientation and gender identity-based benefits. It also uses sex and gender ideology criteria in employee recruitment, vendor selection, marketing, and philanthropic support. Microsoft forces employees to undergo multiple ideological trainings and uses its reputation, corporate funds, and political influence to support controversial sex and gender ideologies, organizations, and legislation. Microsoft provides a benefits package for employees which covers travel/lodging costs for an abortion and transgender medical procedures for covered employees and dependents, including children. The company funds Planned Parenthood. Microsoft is a platinum partner of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and a founding member of the Partnership for Global LGBTI Equality (PGLE). Microsoft and LinkedIn are members of the Global Alliance for Responsible Media and pledged $270 million to BLM and related causes. Microsoft regularly uses its reputation, corporate dollars, and PAC contributions to support LGBTQ organizations and promote gender ideology. The company discriminates against religious organizations in its charitable giving. Microsoft opposed various state and local legislation intended to protect parental rights, girls’ sports, bathroom facilities, and gendered spaces. The company denounced various states’ legislative efforts to protect election integrity and security. Microsoft is a member of the MCCA, indicating its focus on recruiting, retaining, and promoting employees based on race. For these reasons, Microsoft receives a High Risk rating.

Board Bias

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CEO of Microsoft

Satya Nadella

Satya Nadella

Summary:

Headquartered in Redmond, Washington, Microsoft is a member of the Fortune 250 operating in the Media and Entertainment industry. Satya Nadella and Satya Nadella serve as CEO/President and Chairman, respectively, leading the company’s C-suite executive team and the board of directors. Amongst these teams, the collective leadership is responsible for $274,350 to Republican causes and $5,644,919 to Democratic causes. Under their tenure, Microsoft currently holds a 'High Risk' risk rating.

Political Contributions of Leadership:

$274,350

$5,644,919

Republican

Democrat

Shareholder Proposals

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Date
ESG Category
Proponent
Summary of ResolutionMgmt RecTotal Vote % in Favor
12/7/23SocialNational Legal and Policy CenterReport on Gender-Based Compensation/Benefits Gapsagainst1.01%
12/7/23SocialMartin Matthew GuldnerReport on Government Takedown Requestsagainst1.78%
12/7/23SocialNational Center for Public Policy ResearchReport on Risk from Omitting Ideology in EEO Policyagainst0.81%
12/7/23SocialTulipshare Ltd.Mandate for Third-Party Political Reportingagainst5.37%
12/7/23SocialEkoReport on Data Operations in Human Rights Hotspotsagainst33.57%
12/7/23SocialHarrington Investments, Inc.Report on Risks of Weapons Developmentagainst15.19%
12/7/23SocialArjuna CapitalReport on AI Misinformation and Disinformationagainst21.16%
12/7/23GovernanceAkademikerPensionReport on Tax Transparency Aligned with GRI Tax Standardagainst21.25%
12/7/23EnvironmentalAs You SowReport on Climate Risks to Retirement Plan Beneficiariesagainst8.89%
12/13/22GovernanceAkademikerPensionReport on Tax Transparency Aligned with GRI Tax StandardAgainst22.97%
12/13/22SocialBoston Common Asset ManagementReport on Government Use of Microsoft TechnologyAgainst20.43%
12/13/22EnvironmentalAs You SowAssess and Report on thr Company's Retirement Funds' Managment of Systemic Climate RiskAgainst11.21%
12/13/22SocialNorthstar Asset ManagementReport on Hiring of Persons with Arrest or Incarceration RecordsAgainst10.93%
12/13/22SocialHarrington Investments, Inc.Report on Development of Products for MilitaryAgainst10.52%
12/13/22SocialRidgeline ResearchReport on Cost/Benefit Analysis Diversity & InclusionAgainst1.26%
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