Walgreens Boots Alliance

Illinois
Food and Staples Retailing, Health Care Equipment and Services

Corprate Bias Ratings

Risk Level:

Rating - Caution
Medium Risk

Walgreens Boots Alliance (Walgreens) vets vendors according to LGBTQ policies and does not provide its employees with protections against viewpoint discrimination, but has not publicly terminated business relationships based on views or beliefs. Walgreens has spoken out against state legislation to recognize biological gender in sports and funds multiple LGBTQ organizations. Walgreens is a signatory of the Business Roundtable's 2019 Statement on the Purpose of Corporation, which promotes stakeholder capitalism. However, the company does not discriminate against faith-based charities and strives for viewpoint diversity on its board of directors. Furthermore, it has not used its PAC contributions for ideological purposes. For these reasons, Walgreens receives a Medium Risk rating. Note: Walgreens has applied for FDA approval to dispense the abortion drug mifepristone at its pharmacies. However, Walgreens has stated that it will not offer the pill in states with anti-abortion laws, despite Democratic pressure to do so.

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

While Walgreens has not canceled any business relationships due to views or beliefs, the company has received negative press for firing employees who claimed they were wrongly terminated. In each of these cases, Walgreens has not lost a wrongful termination lawsuit. In one prominent example, a pharmacist was fired for stopping an armed robbery using his legally concealed firearm (1). Nonetheless, there are no specific instances of political or religious discrimination. Walgreens received a score of 100 on the Corporate Equality Index from the Human Rights Campaign. Among other requirements, this means the company has pledged to vet vendors based on LGBTQ policies (2)(3). Walgreens has applied for FDA approval to dispense abortion drugs (4). Walgreens has stated that it will not sell abortion drugs in states that have instituted laws against them, despite significant pressure from Democratic politicians and activists to do so (5).

Criteria

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

Risk Level
Rationale

Walgreens does not appear to discriminate against religious organizations in its charitable giving (1). Walgreens states that it does give to faith-based groups as long as the donation fits into certain categories and the groups’ community outreach is non-sectarian. Walgreens has selected four nonprofits associated with health relief for its employee donation matching program.

Criteria

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

Risk Level
Rationale

Although shareholders discussed improving Walgreens hiring nondiscrimination policy to protect against viewpoint discrimination, the company does not protect employees from viewpoint discrimination (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

Walgreens spoke out to denounce state legislation that prevented transgender public school students from competing in girls’ youth sports or using the women’s restroom in schools (1). Walgreens has also implemented ESG practices, including mandatory unconscious bias training and a 2040 net-zero pledge (2). CEO Rosalind Brewer is a member of the Business Roundtable and Former CEO Stefano Pessina signed its 2019 Statement on the Purpose of Corporation, which promotes stakeholder capitalism over traditional obligations to shareholders and customers (3)(4). Walgreens sells Pride-related merchandise on its online store and features pro-LGBTQ news releases (5)(6).

Criteria

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

Risk Level
Rationale

Walgreens is a brass sponsor of Out & Equal and a corporate partner of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (1)(2). Otherwise, there are no publicly known cases of Walgreens using its corporate funds to advance ideological causes, organizations, or policies.

Criteria

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

Risk Level
Rationale

Walgreens has not used its PAC donations for ideological purposes (1)(2).

All links were last accessed and all information was updated on:
December 5, 2023

Company reports are intended for educational use only. Full Disclaimer

Voting History

Date
ESG Category
Proponent
Summary of ResolutionMgmt RecTotal Vote % in Favor
1/26/23GovernanceKenneth SteinerIndependent Board ChairAgainst33.84%
1/26/23SocialSisters of St. Francis of PhiladelphiaReport on Public Health Costs from Sale of Tobacco ProductsAgainst10.24%
1/27/22GovernanceJohn CheveddenSpecial Meetings - Reduce Ownership Req. to 10%Against30.60%
1/27/22SocialSisters of St. FrancisReport on Public Health Costs Due to Tobacco Product Sales and the Impact on Overall MarketAgainst11.26%
1/27/22GovernanceNational Center for Public Policy ResearchConversion to Public Benefit CorporationAgainst2.48%
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