Instacart's relatively modest campaign contributions contrasted with a high level of lobbying expenditure and documented revolving door practices indicate a problematic level of corporate political influence. Such activities can enable the company to shape policy in ways that may undermine democratic accountability and facilitate authoritarian interests, warranting a negative score in Public and Political Behavior.

Instacart Profile: Summary • OpenSecrets

Instacart’s settlement following allegations of non-compliance with labor laws underscores a pattern of neglect in worker rights and benefits, typical of exploitative gig work practices. This legal action, while resulting in compensation for affected workers, reflects an underlying systemic issue where the company prioritizes flexible business models over providing fair labor standards, negatively impacting labor relations and human rights practices.

Instacart workers to receive $5 million after settlement in San Francisco lawsuit - MarketWatch

Instacart's disclosed $230,000 spending on lobbying reflects a significant corporate effort to influence policy outcomes, specifically regarding federal relief and SNAP-related provisions. While these issues might seem beneficial on the surface, the use of corporate resources to sway public policy raises concerns about the disproportionate influence of corporate money on democratic processes, potentially marginalizing grassroots voices. This corporate political engagement is evaluated negatively from an anti-fascist perspective.

Lobbying Update: $230,000 of MAPLEBEAR INC. D/B/A INSTACART lobbying was just disclosed

The disclosed $230,000 lobbying expenditure by Instacart, operating under MAPLEBEAR INC. D/B/A INSTACART, suggests an active investment in influencing political outcomes. From a left-leaning perspective, such corporate lobbying can be interpreted as an effort to shape policy in favor of corporate interests, potentially undermining democratic processes and contributing indirectly to authoritarian practices. This negative behavior in the political contributions and lobbying sphere substantially factors into the overall complicity score.

Lobbying Update: $230,000 of MAPLEBEAR INC. D/B/A INSTACART lobbying was just disclosed

Instacart’s settlement over violations of the Gig Worker Paid Sick and Safe Time Ordinance indicates a serious breach in upholding workers' rights, affecting thousands of gig workers. This action, tied directly to poor labor practices, reflects negatively on the company's ethical responsibility towards its workforce.

Instacart to pay $730,000 to settle alleged violations of Seattle's gig worker ordinance

Instacart's significant financial contribution to a ballot initiative that seeks to enforce independent contractor status highlights a political move that can weaken labor protections and undermine unionization efforts. By funding a measure likely to reduce driver rights and benefits, the company is aligning with industry interests that conflict with progressive, pro-worker policies.

Uber, Instacart put millions into ride-share ballot question

Instacart's reported $960,000 spending on lobbying in 2023 highlights efforts to exert political influence. From an anti-fascist perspective, this kind of political spending can be seen as an attempt to influence policy in ways that may undermine progressive reforms and contribute to corporate capture of the political process. Such practices are viewed as aligning with authoritarian tendencies by prioritizing corporate interests over community and worker rights.

Instacart Lobbying Profile • OpenSecrets

The $46.5 million settlement following the lawsuit over worker misclassification highlights Instacart's failure to provide adequate labor protections to its gig workers. By classifying workers as independent contractors, the company bypassed critical employee benefits and protections, representing a disregard for labor rights that not only harms workers individually but also reinforces broader systems of exploitation and authoritarian economic practices.

Instacart to pay $46.5 million settlement over gig worker dispute

This event marks a positive development for labor rights as it compensates workers who were allegedly deprived of key employment benefits due to misclassification. While the settlement does not admit wrongdoing, the payout acknowledges the validity of the workers' claims and supports worker protections, aligning against exploitative practices.

$40 Million in Restitution Payments Begin in Settlement of Instacart Lawsuit in San Diego

The settlement resulted from an investigation that found Instacart had misclassified its workers as independent contractors, thereby avoiding mandated health care and paid sick leave benefits. Although a large sum was allocated to workers, the underlying practice reflects a failure to uphold fair labor practices and worker rights, which is problematic from an anti-authoritarian perspective.

Instacart settles benefits lawsuit for $5.25M

Instacart’s tentative agreement with the California governor’s office for a $21 million tax credit illustrates the company’s ability to influence regulatory decisions. This strategic engagement, while promising job growth on the surface, is emblematic of a broader pattern of regulatory capture where corporate interests sway policy at the expense of broader public welfare.

Instacart, Lyft back in California political spotlight

By opposing the PRO Act, Instacart undermines efforts to extend critical labor protections to gig workers. This stance reflects a broader pattern of prioritizing short-term corporate interests over long-term ethical labor practices and workers' rights, thus contributing negatively to business practices and ethical responsibility.

Opposing PRO Act, Uber and Other Gig Companies Spend Over $1 Million Lobbying Congress

Instacart’s decision to fire unionized employees represents a blatant violation of labor rights and a discouraging stance against unionization. By targeting union supporters, the company is suppressing workers' collective bargaining power and contributing to an environment that mirrors authoritarian suppression of dissent within the workplace.

Instacart is firing every employee who voted to unionize

Instacart's decision to fire its only unionized grocery workers, as highlighted by the UFCW, severely undermines labor rights during a public health crisis. This action directly harms essential workers who were critical in ensuring food access for vulnerable Americans, reflecting a significant ethical lapse in labor relations.

UFCW: Instacart Firing Grocery Workers is Ruthless Attempt to Eliminate Jobs of Essential Workers

The directive not only involves politicizing the workplace but also coerces gig workers into a campaign that undermines their rights and interests. Forcing vulnerable workers to serve as conduits for a campaign that weakens labor protections directly exploits their precarious employment status.

Instacart Asked Its Gig Workers to Distribute Propaganda That Would Hurt Them

By pressuring both contract and in-store workers to deliver political campaign materials, Instacart blurs the line between employment duties and political expression. This practice raises significant labor rights concerns as it may be seen as a coercive tactic that restricts workers' freedom to hold independent political views.

Prop. 22: Instacart Provided Some Contract Workers With Stickers, Fliers Promoting Controversial Ballot Measure

The leaked memos indicate that Instacart management actively distributed anti-union materials and attempted to dissuade workers from unionizing. This union-busting approach not only exploits labor but also erodes fair labor practices and undermines worker rights, which is contrary to ethical business practices and democratic labor standards.

Leaked Memos Show Instacart Running a Union-Busting Campaign