What you need to know
- Microsoft took the number one spot in a poll of Americans to rank how companies perform on issues that matter to them.
- Microsoft topped a list of 922 total companies, and beat out 51 other companies in the software industry.
- Companies were ranked on issues related to workers, customers, communities, the environment, and shareholders.
Americans see Microsoft as the most ethical company on issues that matter to them, according to the results of a poll released by non-profit group Just Capital today (via CNN). Overall, Microsoft topped a list of 922 total companies and beat out 51 other companies in the software industry.
Just Capital polled 4,000 Americans on how they rated companies based on a number of factors, including how they treat their workers and customers, support their communities, reduce their environmental impact, and deliver value to their shareholders. Each category is broken up into several questions, with each weighted differently to influence the total ranking.
Overall, Microsoft scored highly in all categories when compared to the total pool of companies. The company was viewed as doing particularly well in terms of its environmental impact, its support for communities, and its treatment of workers. That's largely due to programs like AI for Earth, donations of billions to nonprofits, and efforts to improve diversity among its workers and offer childcare services.
As for the rest of the list, Microsoft competitors like Apple, Amazon, and Google, took 3rd, 75th, and 6th, respectively, among the total list of companies. Apple and Alphabet took the number one spots in their industries of technology and internet companies. Amazon ranked second among all retail companies.
