Zendesk
Risk Level:
Summary:
Zendesk has not publicly canceled contracts or employees due to religious or political beliefs but does vet suppliers based on their LGBTQ policies. The company does not have viewpoint protections for its employees. Zendesk has donated to the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) and the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). Zendesk endorses the Equality Act. Zendesk has been accused of being "hostile to dissenting viewpoints" and is in discussions with activist investors to change leadership. The company imposes stricter qualifications on faith-based charities in order to receive funding but does not prohibit charity to religious groups. For these reasons, Zendesk receives a "Medium Risk" rating.
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.
Zendesk received a score of 100 on the Corporate Equality Index from the HRC (1). Among other requirements, this means the company has pledged to vet vendors based on LGBTQ policies. The company has not publicly canceled employees or contracts due to religious or political beliefs. However, Zendesk was accused by investors of being “hostile to dissenting viewpoints” and is in talks to change corporate leadership because of these discussions (2)(3).
Charitable giving (including employee matching programs) policies or practices discriminate against charitable organizations based on views or religious beliefs.
Zendesk will support faith-based organizations on “the condition that said the organization does not require exposure to, or conversion to any religious doctrine in order to be a beneficiary of the program or an employee of the organization” (1).
Employment policies fail to protect against discrimination based on political affiliation/views and/or religion.
Zendesk does not protect employees from political affiliation (viewpoint) discrimination (1).
Uses corporate reputation to support ideological causes and/or organizations hostile to freedom of expression.
Uses corporate funds to advance ideological causes, organizations, or policies hostile to freedom of expression.
Zendesk has donated to SPLC (1). Zendesk also offers to reimburse $3,000 annually to employees, spouses, and dependents that travel to get an abortion (2). Zendesk has donated “nearly $5.2 million in software and service for nonprofit organizations to leverage its support tools” for LGBTQ groups and encourages clients to donate as well (3). Zendesk has also donated to the HRC (4).
Uses corporate political contributions for ideological, non-business purposes.
Zendesk does not have a PAC.
All links were last accessed and all information was updated on:
March 23, 2023
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