Omnicom Group
Corprate Bias Ratings
Risk Level:
Summary:
Omnicom Group, which is a marketing communications company, vets vendors according to LGBTQ policies and does not protect its employees against viewpoint discrimination. The company is part of the Global Alliance for Responsible Media and allegedly discriminated against a former employee based on his sexual orientation. However, the company has not publicly terminated business relationships based on views or beliefs. Omnicom Group covers the cost of "medically necessary transition-related care” for its employees and their children. The company partners with the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), supports unconscious bias training, and funds Black Lives Matter (BLM). Omnicom's CEO John Wren is a signatory to CEOs For Gun Safety. However, the company does not discriminate against religious organizations in its charitable giving. For these reasons, Omnicom Group 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.
Omnicom Group received a score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) Corporate Equality Index. Among other requirements, this means the company has a written policy pledging to vet vendors for LGBTQ policies (1)(2). Omnicom Group 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” (3)(4)(5). The company allegedly sexually discriminated against a former employee in 2017 based on his sexual orientation (6).
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.
Omnicom Group requires unconscious bias training for employees and partners with an advocacy group called “sparks & honey,” which compiles a list of “anti-racist resources” and donates to a wide variety of organizations addressing racial justice, including BLM (1). The company’s CEO John Wren is a signatory to CEOs For Gun Safety (2).
Uses corporate funds to advance ideological causes, organizations, or policies hostile to freedom of expression.
Omnicom Group 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 is a member of the Global Alliance for Responsible Media (3)(4)(5). The company partners with GLAAD, a leading LGBTQ advocacy group (6).
Uses corporate political contributions for ideological, non-business purposes.
Omnicom Group does not operate a PAC at this time (1).
All links were last accessed and all information was updated on:
November 28, 2023
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Voting History
| Date | ESG Category | Proponent | Summary of Resolution | Mgmt Rec | Total Vote % in Favor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/2/23 | Governance | John Chevedden | Independent Board Chair | Against | 29.40% |
| 5/3/22 | Social | John Chevedden | Report on Political Contributions and Expenditures | Against | 29.31% |