Zendesk

California
CRM & Project Management

Corprate Bias Ratings

Risk Level:

Rating - Caution
Medium Risk

Zendesk, which is a software as a service company, vets vendors according to LGBTQ policies and does not protect its employees against viewpoint discrimination. However, the company has not publicly terminated business relationships based on views or beliefs. Zendesk has been accused of being "hostile to dissenting viewpoints" and is in discussions with activist investors to change leadership. The company covers up to $3,000 in travel costs for employees, spouses, and dependents each year for abortions. Zendesk has donated to the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) and the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). The company endorses the Equality Act and is a corporate partner of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC). However, Zendesk does not discriminate against religious organizations in its charitable giving. For these reasons, Zendesk 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

Zendesk received a score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) Corporate Equality Index. Among other requirements, this means the company has a written policy pledging to vet vendors for LGBTQ policies (1)(2). Zendesk was accused by investors of being “hostile to dissenting viewpoints” and is in talks to change corporate leadership because of these discussions (3)(4). However, the company has not publicly fired customers, suppliers, or vendors based on political views 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

Zendesk does not appear to discriminate against religious organizations in its charitable giving (1).

Criteria

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

Risk Level
Rationale

Zendesk does not provide viewpoint protections for its employees (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

Zendesk signed an open letter in support of the Equality Act and promotes adding pronouns to electronic platforms for gender identification (1)(2). The company also held a “Drag Photo Contest” as part of its Pride Celebrations (3).

Criteria

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

Risk Level
Rationale

Zendesk has a perfect score on the HRC’s 2022 Corporate Equality Index. This score indicates the company covers the cost of “medically necessary transition-related care” for its employees and their children (1)(2). The company has donated to SPLC and the HRC and is a corporate partner of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (3)(4)(5). Zendesk offers $3,000 annually to reimburse employees, spouses, and dependents that travel to get an abortion (6). The company has donated nearly $5.2 million for nonprofit organizations to leverage its support tools for LGBTQ groups and encourages clients to donate as well (7).

Criteria

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

Risk Level
N/A
Rationale

Zendesk does not operate a PAC at this time (1).

All links were last accessed and all information was updated on:
November 30, 2023

Company reports are intended for educational use only. Full Disclaimer

Generate Reports
Clear
Toast

This website stores cookies on your computer. These cookies are used to collect information about how you interact with our website and allow us to remember you. We use this information in order to improve and customize your browsing experience and for analytics and metrics about our visitors both on this website and other media. To find out more about the cookies we use, see our Privacy Policy.

Accept