At its annual meeting on April 23, Levi Strauss & Co.'s Board of Directors urged shareholders to reject a proposal by the NCPPR to cease DEI efforts, affirming the business and cultural benefits of diversity and inclusion.

An OpenSecrets profile reveals that Levi Strauss & Co. spent $230,000 on lobbying in 2024 and that 100% of its lobbyists in both 2023 and 2024 previously held government jobs, raising concerns about regulatory capture and undue political influence.

OpenSecrets data reveals Levi Strauss & Co.'s political engagement in the 2024 cycle, including $44,974 in contributions, $230,000 spent on lobbying, and a revolving door dynamic with all lobbyists having held previous government positions.

Following a U.S. Department of Labor investigation, Levi Strauss & Co. agreed to pay over $1 million in overtime back wages to 596 employees due to misclassification of certain workers, including assistant store managers at newly acquired locations. The settlement requires updates to timekeeping systems and improved compliance with recordkeeping provisions under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

The article reports that Levi Strauss & Co. has implemented measures to address forced labor risks in its supply chain by disclosing relevant information. Although these steps mark a positive move towards ethical sourcing, the company’s efforts are only on par with global averages and lag behind some domestic peers like Gap and PVH.

Levi Strauss & Co. has implemented its California Transparency in Supply Chains Act, detailing rigorous assessments and clear guidelines for suppliers aimed at mitigating risks such as forced and prison labor. The initiative reinforces ethical sourcing, worker rights, and improved accountability throughout its global supplier network.

An investigation reveals that significant family wealth derived from the Levi Strauss & Co. empire is being used to fund Daniel Lurie’s expensive mayoral campaign. Key family members, who hold large stakes in the company (including a 17% ownership by Mimi Haas), have made sizable donations that illustrate how corporate fortunes can indirectly shape local political landscapes.

Levi Strauss & Co. continued its cooperation with Turkish supplier Özak Tekstil on a conditional basis, despite serious allegations from labour rights organisations that the company abandoned fired workers and ignored its own labour standards following a mass dismissal of 400 workers protesting for union rights.

The Good On You article assesses Levi's ethical performance, noting long-term commitments to environmental sustainability and diversity initiatives alongside ongoing challenges in certifying labor standards and ensuring a living wage across its supply chain.

Canada’s corporate ethics watchdog launched an investigation into allegations that Levi Strauss Canada is linked to companies using forced Uyghur labour. The company denied the allegations and failed to engage with the complaint process initiated by civil society groups.

The Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE) launched an investigation on September 20, 2023, into allegations that Levi Strauss & Co. Canada Inc. has supply relationships with Chinese companies implicated in using Uyghur forced labour. While Levi Strauss Canada denies the allegations and cites its Supplier Code of Conduct, it has not provided information or participated in an initial assessment meeting, raising concerns over its supply chain labor practices.

Michelle Gass, known for her progressive track record at Kohl’s through robust diversity and inclusion initiatives, has been appointed as the incoming president of Levi Strauss & Co. set to begin her tenure on January 2, with plans to succeed CEO Chip Bergh. This leadership transition underscores the company’s long-standing liberal legacy and commitment to social issues, contrasting with authoritarian or far-right policies.

An OpenSecrets profile details Levi Strauss & Co.'s longstanding lobbying activities, including information on annual lobbying totals since 1998 and bills lobbied in 2022. While the company is celebrated for its commitment to diversity and inclusion, its active use of lobbying suggests it is also exercising significant political influence.