Staples scored an 80 out of 100 on the 2023-2024 Corporate Equality Index (CEI) from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), a political stakeholder group. By complying with the HRC’s controversial demands, Staples increases the risk of dividing employees, alienating customers and harming shareholders. The company provides a benefits package for employees which covers transgender medical procedures for covered employees and dependents, including children. It also uses sex and gender ideology criteria in marketing. Staples 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. Staples former CEO, Sandy Douglas, signed the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion pledge, which includes a commitment to promote DEI through bias education training in the workplace. The company regularly promotes "a bi-monthly employee-led social justice video series". Staples is a corporate partner of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce. However, the company does not appear to discriminate against charitable organizations based on views or beliefs. For these reasons, Staples receives a Medium Risk rating.