Western Union

Risk Level:

Medium Risk

Summary:

Western Union has not terminated business relationships for any reason, though it does vet suppliers according to its LGBTQ policies. The company does not have viewpoint protection for its employees. Western Union previously donated to Planned Parenthood and currently supports Race Forward, a progressive social justice group. The company also partnered with the Coalition for the American Dream, which has supported DACA legislation. For these reasons, Western Union receives a "Medium 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

Western Union received a score of 100 on the Corporate Equality Index. Among other requirements, this means the company has a written policy pledging to vet vendors for LGBTQ policies (1). There are no known instances of Western Union terminating business relationships because of political or religious beliefs.

Criteria

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

Risk Level

Rationale

Western Union restricts its charitable giving to organizations supporting skills development for refugees and disadvantaged youth (1)(2)(3). The company does not discriminate against faith-based charities.

Criteria

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

Risk Level

Rationale

Western Union does not protect its employees against 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

Western Union is a partner of the Coalition for the American Dream, which has signed an amicus brief in favor of protecting DACA and other immigration legislation (1)(2).

Criteria

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

Risk Level

Rationale

Western Union uses corporate funds to donate to ideological organizations, including Race Forward and Urban Leadership Foundation of Colorado (1). The company indirectly donates to Planned Parenthood (2). Western Union sponsors many LGBTQ events and organizations, including Denver’s Virtual Pride Parade (3).

Criteria

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

Risk Level

Rationale

The Western Union PAC has not been active since 2016. Western Union donated in a bipartisan manner consistent with its business interests (1).

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