Raymond James Financial is actively engaged in lobbying, as evidenced by the OpenSecrets profile. From a perspective critical of corporate complicity in authoritarianism, such political contributions and lobbying efforts can be seen as an exercise of undue influence on policy-making, which may contribute to favoring interests that undermine democratic processes.

Raymond James Financial Lobbying Profile • OpenSecrets

The data from OpenSecrets shows that Raymond James Financial did not report any federal lobbying during the 2024 election cycle. Absence of such activity is viewed positively as it indicates the firm is not leveraging political contributions or lobbying to influence policies in a way that supports authoritarian agendas. This is particularly significant in the current political climate, where supporting extremist governance through lobbying is a key concern for anti-fascist groups.

Raymond James Financial’s contribution of $520,898, despite reporting no direct lobbying or outside spending in the 2024 cycle, reflects an active engagement in financing political processes. From a left-leaning perspective this kind of political funding can be seen as creating conditions that enable the rise of authoritarian influences by channeling resources to political actors, potentially with far-right leanings. This raises concerns about corporate complicity in undermining democratic accountability.

Raymond James Financial Profile: Summary • OpenSecrets

The firm's decision to bypass established communication protocols in favor of unsanctioned methods undermines transparency and accountability, key aspects of ethical business practices. Such violations erode trust in regulatory compliance and contribute to an environment where opaque corporate conduct can enable authoritarian practices.

Raymond James, dozens others fined in SEC crackdown - Tampa Bay Business Journal

Raymond James' publication includes a Modern Slavery Statement that addresses the risks associated with forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation in its global supply chains. This demonstrates a commitment to ethical sourcing and supply chain management, which is crucial for upholding human rights.

Codes of Ethics

The lawsuit alleges serious violations of labor rights, including sexual harassment and pay discrimination, revealing a failure to protect marginalized employees and ensure a safe, equitable work environment. This represents a significant breach of ethical business practices, aligning with authoritarian corporate behavior.

Raymond James Hit With Sexual Harassment, Discrimination Suit

The lawsuit details a pattern of discriminatory and retaliatory practices against a long-tenured female employee, including sexist treatment and unwarranted disciplinary action. These practices undermine worker rights and create a hostile work environment, reflecting severe breaches in ethical labor relations and human rights.

Wigdor LLP Files Discrimination Lawsuit Against Raymond James and Associates

Raymond James strengthened its commitment to ethical business practices by publishing its Human Rights Code, which supports worker rights and promotes fairness. This proactive measure reinforces its stance against authoritarian practices and elevates human rights standards within its operations.

In 2023, Raymond James reaffirmed our commitment to upholding human rights…

The company's decision to notify employees about the lawsuit via an internal website and then instruct them not to speak with the media raises concerns about suppressing employee free expression and undermining transparency, which can be seen as an act of intimidation.

Raymond James sued for discrimination, published denial