Company Directory - Unilever PLC
Company Details - Unilever PLC
Unilever PLC
WebsiteLondon, United Kingdom
LSE: ULVR, NYSE: UN, Euronext Amsterdam: UNA
ISIN: GB00B10RZK87
Unilever is a British-Dutch multinational company that produces a wide range of consumer goods including food, beverages, cleaning agents, beauty products, and personal care items.
CCI Score
CCI Score: Unilever PLC
2.44
Latest Event
Alleged CEO Ouster to Silence Political Activism at Unilever
Ben & Jerry's has accused its parent company Unilever of removing its CEO, David Stever, as part of efforts to suppress the brand's political activism and social mission. The allegation suggests that Unilever's actions undermine democratic expression and align with authoritarian practices by stifling dissent within its corporate structure.
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OBJECTOR
Unilever PLC is currently rated as an Objector.
Latest Events
- MAR192025
Ben & Jerry's has accused its parent company Unilever of removing its CEO, David Stever, as part of efforts to suppress the brand's political activism and social mission. The allegation suggests that Unilever's actions undermine democratic expression and align with authoritarian practices by stifling dissent within its corporate structure.
-70
Executive Political Engagement
March 19
Unilever's reported decision to force the resignation of CEO David Stever, as alleged by Ben & Jerry's, appears to be an effort to silence political activism within the company. This act of executive interference not only compromises the firm’s commitment to free political expression but also supports authoritarian practices by prioritizing corporate control over social mission. The action reflects a dangerous precedent in corporate political engagement, where dissenting voices are suppressed in favor of maintaining a compliant political stance.
Ben & Jerry’s accuses Unilever of ousting CEO to silence political activism
- MAR192025
Unilever PLC has been accused of firing the CEO of its Ben & Jerry's division due to his political stance, an action that has raised concerns about the company's tolerance for political dissent and potential complicity in authoritarian practices.
-70
Executive Political Engagement
March 19
The firing of the Ben & Jerry's CEO over political disagreements highlights Unilever PLC's apparent intolerance for dissenting political views. Such actions can be seen as reinforcing authoritarian practices by prioritizing corporate uniformity and stability over democratic debate, thereby aligning with behaviors that could contribute indirectly to the rise of fascism.
Ben & Jerry's Says CEO Fired by Unilever Over Political Stance
- FEB192025
Data from OpenSecrets indicates that Unilever made modest political contributions of $49,279 in the 2024 cycle but spent a significantly high $610,000 on lobbying. Additionally, a notable portion of its lobbyists have held previous government positions, suggesting a revolving door that may compromise democratic accountability.
-40
Political Contributions and Lobbying Efforts
March 19
Unilever's political contributions, while relatively modest at $49,279, are overshadowed by its $610,000 lobbying expenditure during the 2024 cycle. This high level of spending on lobbying supports corporate influence over public policy, thereby contributing indirectly to authoritarian practices.
-30
Executive Political Engagement
March 19
The revolving door phenomenon is evident with a significant number of Unilever lobbyists having previously held government positions. This raises concerns over executive political engagement and potential undue influence on public policy, which undermines democratic processes.
- JAN012025
Unilever's published document details a strict policy that prohibits corporate contributions to political parties or candidates, ensuring that any political donations made by employees remain strictly personal. This approach minimizes the risk of corporate funds indirectly supporting political agendas that may align with authoritarian ideologies.
+80
Political Contributions and Lobbying Efforts
January 1
Unilever's policy explicitly bans corporate political contributions, requiring that any political support or donations are made by employees in a personal capacity. This policy is a positive practice against the use of corporate resources to sway political agendas, aligning with anti-authoritarian and anti-fascist values by reducing the risk of indirectly funding extremist political movements.
- JAN012025
Unilever has implemented policies requiring its business partners and third‐party supply chain entities to establish grievance mechanisms consistent with UN Guiding Principles. This initiative reflects a commitment to ethical supply chain management and upholding human rights standards.
+80
Supply Chain Ethics
March 19
The article highlights Unilever's requirement for its business partners and third-party supply chain firms to provide grievance mechanisms aligned with UN Guiding Principles. This proactive measure in supply chain ethics suggests a robust commitment to mitigating human rights abuses and ensuring accountability in the supply chain, which is a positive step in ethical business practices.
- APR262024
BNP Paribas Asset Management's head of stewardship has hailed Unilever's review of its climate lobbying practices as a potential turning point, hinting at increased transparency and accountability in the company's political engagements. This move is seen as an opportunity to reassess the influence of corporate lobbying on climate policy, though further reforms will be necessary to fully mitigate undue influence.
+60
Political Contributions and Lobbying Efforts
March 19
The review of Unilever's climate lobbying is recognized by industry observers as a 'watershed moment' that could signify a shift towards more responsible and transparent political contributions. While this initiative could reduce the risks of undue corporate influence in policymaking, particularly in relation to climate change, it remains to be seen whether the changes will be sufficiently robust to limit broader authoritarian manipulation of regulatory processes.
Unilever climate lobbying review ‘watershed moment’, says BNP Paribas AM
- MAR052024
Unilever published an internal review on March 5, 2024, revealing that over a quarter of its trade associations are misaligned with its climate priorities. This move highlights the company's efforts to scrutinize the political lobbying framework of its partners in pursuit of more progressive and climate-aligned policies.
+40
Political Contributions and Lobbying Efforts
March 19
The internal review by Unilever suggests a proactive stance in vetting and potentially distancing itself from trade associations engaged in climate-related lobbying that contradicts its progressive climate commitments. This transparency in its political contributions and lobbying oversight aligns with anti-authoritarian values, reflecting a positive move against complicity with policies that could exacerbate environmental and democratic issues.
Unilever publishes review of key trade associations' climate-related lobbying
- SEP252023
Unilever partnered with Oxfam to assess labour conditions in its own factories and supplier operations, uncovering both strengths and areas needing improvement, particularly for contract workers. The initiative demonstrates a commitment to higher labour standards and supply chain oversight while revealing structural challenges.
+60
Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices
March 19
The initiative highlights Unilever's proactive approach in evaluating its own labour practices, with the Oxfam study revealing both positive efforts and shortcomings such as disparities between direct and contract workers. This engagement indicates a commitment to improving labour rights, though improvements are still needed.
+50
Supply Chain Ethics
March 19
The study also scrutinized Unilever’s supply chain, uncovering issues such as the downsizing of the labour force at supplier facilities and reliance on temporary, non-unionised workers. While Unilever's collaboration with Oxfam is a promising step towards greater supply chain transparency and improved labour conditions, significant challenges remain.
- SEP112020
An investigation into Unilever's record highlights severe labor rights abuses including violent attacks on workers in Kenya, failure to remediate health hazards in India, and ongoing issues in its palm oil supply chain.
-80
Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices
March 19
The article documents multiple instances of severe human rights abuses affecting Unilever workers, including violent attacks on tea plantation workers in Kenya and neglect in providing appropriate remediation. Such practices represent a profound failure in upholding labor rights.
-70
Supply Chain Ethics
March 19
The report also highlights issues in Unilever's supply chain management, particularly its sourcing of palm oil from suppliers with records of deforestation and labor abuses, as well as past failures in addressing environmental and health hazards in its operations.
- FEB272017
A lawsuit filed by employees and residents of Unilever's Kenyan tea plantation alleges that Unilever Tea Kenya failed to protect workers from the foreseeable risk of ethnic violence, spotlighting significant deficiencies in the company's labor relations and human rights practices.
-60
Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices
March 19
The lawsuit underscores Unilever's failure to implement adequate crisis management and security measures to protect its tea plantation workers from ethnic violence. Allegations that the company neglected worker safety reveal significant shortcomings in its commitment to ethical labor relations and human rights practices.
- JAN092012
Unilever workers from multiple unions are set to strike in protest against the company's decision to replace final salary pensions with a career average scheme, a move seen as reducing worker benefits and undermining labor rights.
-70
Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices
March 19
Unilever's move to replace its final salary pension accruals with a career average scheme is perceived as diminishing worker benefits and undermining employee rights. This decision has led to a strike by unionized workers, highlighting concerns over fair labor practices and the company's commitment to safeguarding employee welfare.
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- All Other Miscellaneous Chemical Product and Preparation Manufacturing
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