Warby Parker

New York
Retailing

Risk Level:

Rating - Danger
High Risk

Summary:

Warby Parker has pulled its advertisements from Breitbart and Daily Wire after the 2016 election. The company funds ideological groups hostile to freedom of expression, such as the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) and National Urban League (NUL). Warby Parker regularly uses its corporate reputation to advocate for voting reform, support the Equality Act, and oppose Florida's Parental Rights in Education Law, among other actions. Warby Parker does not have viewpoint protections for its employees. For these reasons, Warby Parker receives a "High 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

Warby Parker received a score of 100 on the Corporate Equality Index from the Human Rights Campaign. Among other requirements, this score means that Warby Parker vets suppliers according to their LGBTQ protections (1). Warby Parker pulled ads from Breitbart News’ website after Trump’s 2016 election victory (2). Warby Parker has pulled ads from The Daily Wire as well (3).

Criteria

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

Risk Level
Rationale

Warby Parker’s charitable giving is restricted to providing glasses and other eyecare to those who need them. It does not discriminate against faith-based charities (1)(2).

Criteria

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

Risk Level
Rationale

Warby Parker 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

Warby Parker supported the Equality Act and opposed the Florida Parental Rights in Education Act, which prevents the teaching of gender identity and sexual orientation to kids in K-3rd grade (1)(2). The company has signed various other letters opposing “anti-LGBTQ” legislation, such as laws to protect girls’ sports (3)(4). Warby Parker has also signed an American Civil Liberties Union amicus brief challenging a federal order for undocumented immigrants not to be counted on the 2020 Census, as well as advocating for election reform such as mail-in ballots (5).

Criteria

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

Risk Level
Rationale

Warby Parker uses corporate dollars to fund the SPLC and NUL (1).

Criteria

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

Risk Level
Rationale

Warby Parker does not have a PAC and has not lobbied for non-business-related interests (1).

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

Company reports are intended for educational use only. Full Disclaimer

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