Diageo North America's PAC raised $120,286, a modest but notable sum that channels corporate resources into the political sphere. From an anti-fascist perspective, such political contributions, even when not explicitly linked to far‐right candidates, contribute to the broader system of corporate influence that can undermine democratic accountability and progressive reforms.

PAC Profile: Diageo North America • OpenSecrets

Diageo's comprehensive human rights policy, demonstrated by its commitment to UN Guiding Principles, dedicated Responsible Sourcing team, executive oversight, and multiple mechanisms for risk assessment and stakeholder engagement, reflects a strong anti-authoritarian, progressive business practice aimed at safeguarding worker rights and preventing human rights abuses.

Human rights

The data shows a revolving door phenomenon with a large portion of Diageo PLC's lobbyists having previously held government positions. This blurring of lines between public service and corporate lobbying raises concerns about undue influence on policy making.

Diageo PLC Profile: Summary

Diageo plc's active lobbying profile, as reported by OpenSecrets, illustrates its continuous campaign to influence political decisions. This behavior is problematic from a democratic perspective because extensive corporate lobbying can skew policy debates in favor of corporate interests, potentially undermining equitable political processes and facilitating authoritarian tendencies.

Diageo PLC Profile: Lobbying • OpenSecrets

Diageo's comprehensive human rights policy, which aligns with the UN Guiding Principles and includes strong oversight mechanisms such as a Global Human Rights Steering Committee and extensive risk assessments, demonstrates a firm commitment to protecting workers' rights and preventing human rights abuses. This proactive approach reflects positively in terms of ethical business practices and labor relations.

Human rights

Diageo’s publication of its Global Environment Policy, with explicit emphasis on respecting human rights and promoting sustainability, demonstrates a commitment to ethical business practices. By embedding these values into its Code of Business Conduct, the company supports social inclusion and environmental stewardship, which are key anti-authoritarian principles.

Policies and standards

The document also criticizes Diageo’s supply chain management, emphasizing the company’s failure to adopt a comprehensive supplier code of conduct that would ensure ethical practices across all sugarcane sourced products globally. This omission hampers efforts to improve labour standards and safeguard worker health and safety.

PDF Response to Bacardi and Diageo: the long road to ending labour abuses

The updated human rights policy demonstrates Diageo’s commitment to protecting employee rights, ensuring fair labor practices, and fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. This strong stance on human rights, adherence to international guidelines, and due diligence measures reflect proactive corporate behavior that resists authoritarian practices and supports marginalized communities.

PDF Human Rights - media.diageo.com

Diageo's decision to end a longstanding partnership amid a racial discrimination lawsuit raises significant concerns about its commitment to ethical business practices and social justice. The allegations that the company underpromoted a product based on racial lines, dismissing it as an 'urban' offering, exemplify problematic corporate conduct that undermines equity. This move, paired with their legal maneuver to dismiss the lawsuit, suggests a prioritization of corporate interests over addressing issues of discrimination.

Diageo ends its 15-year partnership with Diddy following lawsuit

Diageo’s decision to end the business relationship in reaction to allegations of racial insensitivity and contract breaches, without adequately addressing concerns of discriminatory practices, reflects poor ethical and business responsibility. This action can be seen as avoiding accountability for potential systemic racial bias, negatively impacting marginalized communities and undermining ethical standards.

Drinks giant Diageo ends 'broken' Diddy partnership

The allegations indicate unethical business practices where Diageo is accused of racially motivated discrimination by failing to adequately support Diddy's tequila brand, favoring competing products instead, and limiting distribution. Such actions undermine commitments to diversity and fair business conduct, contributing to harmful power dynamics that can align with authoritarian practices.

Diddy says Diageo neglected his tequila due to race - BBC

The article details a renewed strike at the Leven plant amid claims of unfair labor practices, including unilateral changes to contracts and lower pay for new employees without appropriate consultation. This behavior, characterized as corporate greed by union representatives, undermines workers' rights and fair labor practices, warranting a significant negative rating under Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices.

Diageo workers to resume strike action

The article reports claims by the union that Diageo may have unlawfully induced workers to accept new contracts that lower their pay, a move seen as exploitative and dismissive of workers' rights. This behavior underscores significant concerns regarding ethical labor practices despite the company's strong profit growth, marking a detrimental impact on fair labor conditions.

Unite explores legal action in Diageo dispute

The article describes how Diageo has allegedly undermined labor rights by bypassing consultation with the union and coercing workers into signing unfavorable contracts. This behavior negatively impacts worker rights and fair labor practices, which is a serious concern under our Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices category.

UK: Diageo workers strike over pay and contracts, amid claims the drinks company bypassed consultation with union

The prolonged strike by workers over reduced pay, imposed without proper consultation, underscores a disregard for fair labor practices by Diageo. While the company minimizes the issue by stating only a small number of workers are affected, the industrial action, supported by Unite, highlights systemic problems in worker treatment, aligning with concerns of corporate prioritization of profit over employee welfare.

Diageo workers strike for months in pay row - Business Insider

The upcoming strike reported by Unite the Union highlights significant labor issues at Diageo's Leven plant. The dispute over low pay suggests exploitative labor practices, undermining worker rights and welfare, which is a negative indicator from an anti-fascist perspective prioritizing fair treatment and labor justice.

Whisky giant workers to strike for months in row over pay - Unite the Union

Diageo's proposal to implement a lower starting pay for new employees without engaging in proper consultation has triggered significant industrial action by the union. This approach not only neglects fair labor practices but also reflects a disregard for workers' rights in light of the company's record profits, contributing to a culture of corporate authoritarianism.

Fife Diageo workers to take months-long strike action in pay row

The article reports that Diageo is accused of driving a 'race to the bottom' in labor practices, as workers, backed by Unite the Union, plan an extended strike over inadequate pay. This reflects negatively on Diageo’s commitment to fair labor relations and workers' rights.

Whisky giant workers to strike for months in row over pay - Unite the Union

The reported lobbying expenditure of $2.71 million in 2021 indicates Diageo PLC's active engagement in influencing government policies through corporate lobbying. From an anti-fascist perspective, such deep involvement in political lobbying can contribute to consolidating corporate power and undermining democratic processes, aligning with broader authoritarian practices.

Diageo PLC Lobbying Profile • OpenSecrets