ExxonMobil – Add ‘Sexual Orientation’ to Nondiscrimination Policy (2001 – 2002)

Outcome: 23.5%

WHEREAS:  ExxonMobil claims to bar all forms of employment discrimination but its post-merger written policies do not explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation;
Prior to the merger Mobil explicitly prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation in its equal employment opportunity policy;
Our competitors Chevron, Sunoco, Atlantic Richfield, BP Amoco and Texaco explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation;
The hundreds of corporations with non-discrimination policies relating to sexual orientation have a competitive advantage to recruit and retain employees from the widest talent pool;
Employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation diminishes employee morale and productivity;
Our company has an interest in preventing discrimination and resolving complaints internally so as to avoid costly litigation and damage to its reputation as an equal opportunity employer;
San Francisco, Atlanta, Seattle and Los Angeles have adopted legislation restricting business with companies that do not guarantee equal treatment for lesbian and gay employees and similar legislation is pending in other jurisdictions;
Our company has operations in and makes sales to institutions in states and cities which prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation;
A recent National Gay and Lesbian Task Force study has found that 16% – 44% gay men and lesbians in twenty cities nationwide experienced workplace harassment or discrimination based on their sexual orientation;
National public opinion polls consistently find more than three-quarters of the American people support equal rights in the workplace for gay men, lesbians and bisexuals;
RESOLVED: The Shareholders request the Board of Directors to amend ExxonMobil’s written equal employment opportunity policy to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and to substantially implement that policy.
STATEMENT: By implementing a written policy prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation, our Company will ensure a respectful and supportive atmosphere for all employees and enhance its competitive edge by joining the growing ranks of companies guaranteeing equal opportunity for all employees.