Comments on: 2008 World’s Most Ethical Companies

By: David

David — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 20:05:36 +0000

Xerox and Ethical doesn’t seem to be synonymous. On paper I am sure that they can produce the processes, the papers and the numbers. In the repressive environment that has existed at the company for a number of years, where the long standing “open door policy” was replaced by a “kill the messenger policy” and the HR focus and tone is largely affirmative action, the company is quickly losing its edge for innovation and excellence. These used to be the most important things being fostered within the company.

Perhaps you should consider adding actual interviews with employees and recent retirees to the data accumulated to support your selections. You would find that the company is reducing benefits, while at the same time rewarding upper managers with excessive bonuses for their poor leadership. You would wonder why the recent retirees are in the process of suing the company just to retain minimal benefits that they were promised throughout their long working careers. This is not the Xerox of the 60′s, 70′s and 80′s that was a highly ethical company, held high in esteem by employees and customers alike. This is the Xerox where senior managers have been sued for inappropriate financial management and stock manipulation, and the route to high positions is less a function of accomplishments than a desire to look good in the business world.

By: Tracey

Tracey — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 19:21:38 +0000

TMobile? Really? Ethical? then why do they have a rating of “F” with the BBB. Maybe they were 4 years ago. But now, no way. They randomly change service quality in their airways and then its “too bad” for their customer.
Who decided this? Must not be anyone from the over 22,000 cases with BBB.

By: Marlon

Marlon — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 21:46:42 +0000

I have reviewed the website looking for a detail breakdown for the ranking and I cant seem to find one. I would like to use this years ranking for a class, but I need more information.

Can anyone assist me with a breakdown of the processes?

By: Unemployed American

Unemployed American — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:31:10 +0000

I am very pleased not to see Wells Fargo on this list. I worked for them for many years and know what they are really like inside. They claim to be a company that values diversity and helping people, but really the diversity schtick is just to attract a broader base of customers that they can make money off. When a particular division of this company gets hit for unethical behavior, the rest of the company dissassociates itself, claiming to have nothing to do with them. Sure, until you get caught.

By: Concerned

Concerned — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 13:27:46 +0000

Neither Nike nor Timberland should be on this list. I have personally seen a Timberland sweatshop, and its common knowledge that Nike barely pay their workers in sweatshops overseas.

By: George

George — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:29:55 +0000

I have read a number of responses to this article and am amazed at the responses. If everyone would stop and read the criteria of what constitutes an ethical company they would quit posting emotionally charged comments. Ethics has nothing to do with if you do not like what the company stands for, or if you believe they have terrible customer service. Ethics is them standing behind and do what it is they claim they are doing in the market place. You may not agree with them on a moral level, but this has NOTHING to do with them being unethical. Here is an example of unethical behavior that may clarify things for everyone (if you even bother to read my post). Part of Fannie May’s mission statement was “To help individuals be able to afford and keep their home.” Fannie Mae through their mission statement indicated their place in the market was to help people purchase an keep their homes. They did help people purchase homes, however they did not take steps to help them keep their homes. Since they did not fulfill their mission statement, they acted unethically. For all of you who hate a company for one reason or another, please do not post a response and say they are unethical just because you do not like them, their customer service, what they stand for etc. Blogs like these could be informative if you do not clog them with biased and unfounded personal beliefs. Ethics has nothing to do with emotion. Take emotion out, think rationally and then post your response. Only person who seems to have any idea was Jeremy (back in November). Obviously he gave up trying to enlighten everyone. Too bad.

By: Johann Del Campo

Johann Del Campo — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 14:49:10 +0000

Honeywell ethical? Are weapon producing companies ethical? Aren’t fire weapons responsible for 110000 deaths per year in the US only? I won’t count the number of people killed all over the world with weapons fabricated in the US. The US produces 50% of all the weapons in the world and Honeywell is certainly one of those producers.

Accenture ethical? They are based on the Bermuda Islands. What are they doing there, except not paying taxes?

Nike ethical? Nike has admitted to mistakes over child labor. I guess child labor is ethical according to your criteria list.

BMW ethical? Why do so many deadly accidents with cars happen to be with BMW cars?

McDonald’s ethical?. They are committing mass murder on animals. 90% of the food production on earth goes to the feeding of animals, causing millions of people in the world to die from starvation.

By: Curtis Freeman

Curtis Freeman — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 22:45:21 +0000

Most of the companies on here are definite “Yes” companies: Caterpillar, Dole, Ten Thousand Villages, Google, Kiplinger, AFLAC, Starbucks, GE, AmEx, International Paper, Waste Management, Cisco, Oracle, Alcoa, Marriott, Xerox, and many others. Many are “I Don’t Know” companies (I’ll not feign knowledge of Genzyme any more than Novo Nordisk or Novozymes). And there aren’t any egrigious listings, such as big oil companies or MicroSoft, to warrant many of the “flame” posts here. But a few are seemingly prima facie “No” companies: McDonald’s, Pepsi, and Kellogs (along with many others not listed here, including the American Diabetes Association and USDA) have been fueling American obesity, heart disease, etc., for many years after they knew how harmful their over-processed and sugar-laden food is. While General Mills switched to whole grain a few years ago (a meager step, but at least in the right direction), Kellogs still pushes Sugar Frosted Flakes to kids with Tony the Tiger (they dropped sugar from the name about 15-20 years ago, but kept it on the corn mush flakes–that’s ethical?). Does helping people kill themselves through poor diet resulting in poor health, but doing it openly and honestly, pass for ethical now? Has anyone checked the calorie count on the new McCafe items? And Accenture? Compared to their former parent, yes, they are more ethical. But they are headquarted in Bermuda, a tax-haven country. They were once in the United States. How is moving to Bermuda ethical? Also, UPS has been involved in multi-million dollar offshore tax schemes.

By: badappleeater

badappleeater — Fri, 29 May 2009 02:52:00 +0000

It leaves a bad feeling when a website lobbies for many of the most corrupt, most evil, and most unethical representatives of business.
There are other resources which deserve being read.
I don’t know what you people at ethispere do, but it looks to me like earning a whole lot for things which are in other parts of the world called fraud.
You can edit the whole website for profanity, and the only result should be to close the site and leave comments as temporary contribution until you come up with truthful representation of what your name claims.

By: Siva

Siva — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 17:12:00 +0000

2009 list looks like a joke. PepSi one of the ethical companies ? The company that sucks up the groundwater in my poor village where people do not have even clean drinking water and sells it to the rich people in the West. All these by getting licence by bribing the corrupt goverment officials.Is that a definition for an ethical company ?
Is ethisphere paid for including them in this list ?

By: Adrian

Adrian — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 09:06:33 +0000

SUN Microsystems? Are you kidding me? I’m just trying to upgrade with RAM memory a SUN V490 server (16 to 32 GB) and I have to change all the memories in order to accomplish that because they sell it with all RAM banks memories full.. the server is EOL since February and the price list is 10 (ten ) times higher than a couple of month ago. They are rubbing their clients; don’t have to mention the maintenance support after warranty expires (1 year at some products). THIEFS!

By: Betsy

Betsy — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 20:32:31 +0000

What a meaningless list. When Ethisphere uses the term “Ethical” in relation to companies that exploit child and/or sweatshop labor (Nike, Timberland), support strip mining opperations that rape the land and people of Appalachia (Duke Energy), poison groundwater and shoot at employees who try to strike (Dole), the word loses all meaning. Might as well put Hitler and Stalin on a “Most Humanitarian” list.

By: Stagger Lee

Stagger Lee — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 05:10:11 +0000

After seeing this list I kept looking around to find a tip off that this is a gag by The Onion.

By: wvpeach

wvpeach — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 02:45:12 +0000

This is pretty pathetic.

What is it with you guys? Do you think if you keep repeating a lie often enough it becomes true? …………. Not the way it works for those living in reality.
Nike? Manpower? Paychex? Come on now how much are these companies paying you to try to make up for their true sins being published?

By: Prem Sikka

Prem Sikka — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 19:19:59 +0000

Unbelievable rubbish. Many companies listed here peddle death through armaments and harmful products. Many are involved in tax avoidance, bribery and corruption. Some have shifted government contracts to offshore places to avoid US taxes. Some shift profits out of developing countries through offshore entities and transfer pricing schemes. Some pay miserable wages to their direct and indirect workers. They are certainly not models of ethical conduct. Clearly the NGO community will have to scruitnise closely the companies listled here.

Prem Sikka
Director
Asociation for Accountancy & Business Affairs.

By: Rumbero

Rumbero — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 21:49:18 +0000

Eaton Corp! Please google “Great Electrical Equipment Conspircy”. This is the textbook example of price fixing. It must have been pretty bad if the US Govt had to enforce anti-colusion laws for the 1st time, 70 years after the law went into effect.

Please do not discredit your reputation by listing these companies.

By: pharmarep

pharmarep — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 04:17:51 +0000

Novartis? are you kidding? from the inside, it is far from ethical-anything to make the numbers. There is no such entity as an ethical pharmaceutical company any longer

By: Zeke

Zeke — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 02:23:21 +0000

NIKE? I was totally buying this list until I saw Nike. Are child-labour concerns even a part of this process? How can a company globally renowned for having sweatshops make it to the top of the world’s most ethical companies? Something is amiss here.
I found this site specifically while I was looking for companies I could buy jogging shoes from as Nike was not an option for me because of their plethora of shady business practices. This is truly ironic.

By: Joel Austin

Joel Austin — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 18:39:25 +0000

WHOAA!! Dole Inc.?? Could someone please offer me an explanation for this. What about the Nemagon cases in Nicaragua? Or more recently, the price fixing scandal with Del Monte’???

By: ANTHONY LOBO

ANTHONY LOBO — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 04:06:48 +0000

Indeed, I am not sure this list is representative. Tata from India was listed last year, but does not find a place this time.

By: mac haggerty

mac haggerty — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 23:10:52 +0000

i agree with most of your choices. i think that the criteria should be expanded to include a mandatory statement of their position about animal welfare. nike’s web site does not even offer a condemnation of michael vic.

By: Khaled Khalil

Khaled Khalil — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 06:30:20 +0000

“Comments will be moderated for profanity”
now, what profanity is expected, constructive criticism ?
it is really hard for someone to provide his own ethics and suppose others to follow him, just because of his higher voice!

By: khaled khalil

khaled khalil — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 06:24:11 +0000

@truthseeker, Nike is absolutely one of the least ethical companies regarding workers right at all, any ordinary world-wide citizen knows all about their factory in Bangladesh and how it incorporate in child labor, extremely low wages (to the limit that some workers don’t have some place to live) and many worse work conditions, and needless to say the continued threat to loose their job if anyone told a better treat, Nike can easily find his substitution.
i don’t know how Ethisphere do their calculations to make Nike not only an ethical company, but the best in their field, wow, what’s next, Olmert is a peacemaker, isn’t that.
of course i can’t trust Ethisphere after their ranking, it no more worth consuming time reading their bribers list.
but at least their is one funny thing commenting here, it is the anti-spam word “trust” :)
they say it is their:”To prove you’re a person (not a spam script), type the security word shown in the picture.”
now i prefer being a script rather than human being to not trust them

By: Kymus Ginwala

Kymus Ginwala — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 02:03:37 +0000

I am surprised to find Tata in India not on the list

By: truthseeker

truthseeker — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 05:57:23 +0000

Nike defends same sex harassment/retaliation suit in secret. Hires big-time firm to defend. Demands protective order from pro se plaintiff who was a good employee of 8 years at WHQ. Blames shutting down of Exeter Brands group. Did Nike shut down Exeter? See Stephens vs Nike Washington county court, Beaverton Oregon. You won’t find anything in the papers about this; check out the court file and the seven page blistering complaint!! Don’t speak up you’ll lose your job Nike doesn’t care about workers rights! Zero tolerance is for employees that complain. Call Nike and demand a statement on this issue. Maybe this is why executives are dumping shares.