What is the least ethical company?

Asked by: Mathew Kunze III  |  Last update: November 5, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (20 votes)

The top ten least ethical companies as voted for by Ethical Consumer readers were:
  • Nestlé
  • Monsanto.
  • Amazon.
  • Shell.
  • Tesco.
  • Barclays.
  • Exxon.
  • Wal Mart (former owner of Asda)

What is the least ethical industry?

Energy companies are viewed as the least ethical by the public, according to new research by Reputation Institute. The public views energy as the sector with the worst reputation, according to new research that suggests people are increasingly seeing good corporate governance as important.

Is Costco an ethical company?

Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) is known for its ethical business practices, employee well-being through industry-leading wages, and sustainability efforts in reducing waste, sourcing responsibly, and maintaining transparent supplier practices.

What companies are considered unethical?

Companies such as Google, Amazon, Nestle, Tesco, Coca-Cola, the Big Four accounting firms, Facebook, Nike, and McDonald's have all faced scrutiny for their actions across various ethical dimensions, including tax avoidance, worker exploitation, irresponsible marketing, and environmental damage.

Is Nike an ethical company?

Parent company: Nike Inc. Is Nike ethical and sustainable? The Good Shopping Guide gives Nike, a global fashion and sports brand based in the US, a low ethical rating.

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Is Apple an ethical company?

Is Apple ethical? Although Apple is ethical overall, there are certain ethical issues that still remain. For example, iPhones are produced with consideration for social responsibility, yet Apple has previously faced accusations of human rights violations, creating e-waste, and tax avoidance.

Is Lululemon an ethical company?

Despite past criticism from PETA for its use of down, lululemon has clarified that it is certified by the Responsible Down Standard, so achieves a top rating for Animal Welfare. We found no public record criticisms of lululemon relating to Nuclear or Fossil Fuels, so it scores well for these criteria.

How is McDonald's ethical?

McDonald's condemns all forms of slavery, forced labor, human trafficking, or exploitation, and we prohibit such practices across our business, supply chain and all McDonald's brand restaurants.

Is Nestle an ethical company?

Business ethics and compliance are the foundations of how we do business at Nestlé and the conditions for Creating Shared Value. We conduct business in an ethical and principles-based manner even in the absence of legal or regulatory frameworks.

Why is Victoria's Secret not ethical?

According to a New York Times investigation, female models and executives were bullied and harassed for decades at Victoria's Secret, which was evidence of an "entrenched culture of misogyny". In 2020 Baptist World Aid Australia released The COVID Fashion Report, a special edition of their Ethical Fashion Report.

Is Walmart an ethical brand?

Trust is one of Walmart's competitive advantages; our commitment to upholding ethical standards and compliance establishes a culture of integrity and builds trust with our associates, customers, investors, suppliers, and business partners.

Is Kraft an ethical company?

Kraft Heinz conducts business in an ethical manner, guided by the enduring principles of our founders and an unwavering commitment to integrity.

Is Costco a China company?

Costco is a Washington corporation, publicly traded under the Nasdaq ticker symbol "COST", with its home office in Issaquah, Washington.

What is the #1 most respected profession?

The most trusted professions

2 and Dec. 18, 2024. Respondents were asked to rate the honesty and ethical standards of people in different professions. Overall, nurses were ranked as the most trusted profession in the United States, with 76% of respondents saying that nurses had "high" or "very high" honesty and ethics.

What are the most socially irresponsible companies?

Monsanto, Wells Fargo, and Goldman Sachs rank as the least socially responsible companies. Millennials rate Tesla, Publix, and Amazon.com highest for corporate social responsibility efforts; Baby Boomers rate Wegmans, General Mills, and Southwest highest.

What brands are facing ethical issues?

The top ten least ethical companies as voted for by Ethical Consumer readers were:
  • Nestlé
  • Monsanto.
  • Amazon.
  • Shell.
  • Tesco.
  • Barclays.
  • Exxon.
  • Wal Mart (former owner of Asda)

Is Pepsi a ethical company?

Our Code of Conduct and Anti-Bribery Policy are reviewed annually and updated to reflect legislative developments, as well as internal policy and process changes. In 2024, PepsiCo was recognized as one of Ethisphere's World's Most Ethical Companies, one of only six companies to receive this honor 18 years in a row.

Does Nestlé own Hershey?

No, Nestlé does not own Hershey. Hershey is its own company, and it's one of the largest chocolate manufacturers in the world. However, Nestlé is a major player in the food and beverage industry, with a diverse portfolio that includes chocolate products among many others.

Why is Nestlé being boycotted?

In the 1970s, declining rates of breastfeeding led a number of organisations to raise concerns about the marketing practices of infant formula manufacturers - including Nestlé - in developing countries.

How ethical is Burger King?

In practice, Burger King has implemented a number of programs and policies to fulfill its ethical responsibilities. For example, the company has established policies to reduce the use of hazardous chemicals in its operations and also ensure fair wages for employees.

What is Coca-Cola's code of ethics?

Coca-Cola - Beliefs - Code of Business Conduct. Our Code of Business Conduct serves to guide the actions of our employees, officers and directors in ways that are consistent with our core values: honesty; integrity; diversity; quality; respect; responsibility; and, accountability.

Is McDonald's chicken processed?

The Chicken McNugget is a small piece of processed chicken meat that is fried in batter and flash-frozen at a central manufacturing facility, then shipped out and sold at McDonald's restaurants.

Is Nike a sustainable brand?

Nike apparel labelled with 'sustainable materials' has at least 50% recycled content. Nike significantly reduces its emissions and impact by reusing, recycling, and repurposing existing materials. Here's a snapshot of some of the materials initiatives Nike is championing to help make it more sustainable.

Is Hollister fast fashion?

Hollister is one of the biggest brands in the fast-fashion industry. They are renowned for their fashionable yet economical items.

Is Lululemon from China?

Lululemon, a premium activewear brand founded in Canada in 1998, seemingly found respite in a Chinese retail ecosystem that has, for the most part, been sluggish as the real estate crisis and rising youth unemployment dampen consumer spending this year.