Pearson

United Kingdom
Media and Entertainment

Risk Level:

Rating - Clear
Lower Risk

Summary:

Pearson, which produces educational media and content, has not terminated business relationships due to religious beliefs, though it vets suppliers according to LGBTQ policies. It does protect employees from viewpoint discrimination but has recently used its educational material to promote ideological viewpoints such as "intersectionality" For these reasons, Pearson receives a "Lower Risk" rating.

Criteria
Risk Level
Rationale
Corporate Weaponization
Criteria

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.

Risk Level
Rationale

Pearson received a score of 90 on the Corporate Equality Index from the Human Rights Campaign (1). Among other requirements, this means Pearson vets suppliers according to LGBTQ policies. It has not publicly terminated business relationships due to ideological beliefs.

Criteria

Charitable giving (including employee matching programs) policies or practices discriminate against charitable organizations based on views or religious beliefs.

Risk Level
Rationale

Pearson’s charitable foundation closed in 2014 (1). The company still donates money and educational materials on a case-by-case basis, and there is no written rule prohibiting donations to faith-based charities (2).

Criteria

Employment policies fail to protect against discrimination based on political affiliation/views and/or religion.

Risk Level
Rationale

Pearson protects employees from discrimination due to “political affiliation” (1).

Corporate Governance and Public Policy
Criteria

Uses corporate reputation to support ideological causes and/or organizations hostile to freedom of expression.

Risk Level
Rationale

In recent years, Pearson has made changes to its publishing philosophy that have led to an ideological slant in its textbooks. In these texts intended for children, Pearson has published the terms “subconscious bias” and “intersectionality,” presenting the company’s opinions on these complex matters as fact (1). Furthermore, Pearson has included similar ideologies in its math textbooks, including a math problem regarding the “lack of diversity” in the New York Police Department (2). Pearson has also adopted “Gender Equality Guidelines” for its published works (3).

Criteria

Uses corporate funds to advance ideological causes, organizations, or policies hostile to freedom of expression.

Risk Level
Rationale

Pearson has not funded ideological groups hostile to freedom of expression (1).

Criteria

Uses corporate political contributions for ideological, non-business purposes.

Risk Level
N/A
Rationale

Pearson does not operate a PAC.

All links were last accessed and all information was updated on:
March 24, 2023

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