The aim of Knowmore.org is to raise awareness of corporate abuse, and to serve as a catalyst for direct action against corporate power.

Ethical Consumerism is an important movement toward corporate reform, through which individuals recognize their own role in systems of oppression, and take personal steps toward resistance and  positive change.

However, the problem of unchecked corporate power is systemic and goes far beyond the scope of any single boycot or campaign.

Once you've seen enough of Knowmore's data and familiarized yourself with our Issues section, check out our Direct Action page to get involved!

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From Knowmore.org

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[edit] Criticisms

[edit] Worker's Rights Concerns

• Avon achieved a score of 57 on the Human Rights Campaign 2003 Corporate Equality Index which rates large corporations on policies that affect their gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employees, consumers and investors. The 2003 HRC Corporate Equality Index rated 250 companies on a scale of 0 percent to 100 percent on seven factors. The company also achieved a score of 57 on the organization's 2002 Corporate Equality Index. Source: Human Rights Campaign

[edit] Unethical Business Practice

• Avon is listed in a Government Accounting Office database of more than 900 publicly traded companies that have restated their financial results because of accounting irregularities since the beginning of 1997. Avon was listed for a 2000 restatement for issues related to cost or expense. Source: Government Accounting Office

[edit] Praise

• Avon does not conduct animal testing on its products. Source: PETA

• After the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade center and the Pentagon, Avon donated $1 million for relief efforts. Source: United Press International, Sept. 20, 2001

• Since 1993, Avon has run the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade. The program's objective is to provide women, particularly those who have limited access to medical services, with access to breast cancer education and early detection screening services such as mammograms and clinical breast exams. In 2000, the Crusade expanded to fund support services for breast cancer patients and survivors, financial assistance for biopsies for uninsured women, counseling, transportation, child care, educational seminars, and medical research on breast cancer.

• Since its inception the Crusade has raised over $80 million and raises funds through the sale of special Crusade fundraising (pink ribbon) products, and from the Avon Breast Cancer 3-days, a series of three-day, 60 mile fundraising walks.

Source: The Avon Breast Cancer Crusade

• Avon Products has a non-discrimination policy that includes sexual orientation. Source: Human Rights Campaign

• Avon has a Multicultural Planning and Design Department that has a series of awareness-training sessions that have been attended by 80 percent of the management. The day-and-a-half sessions encourage employees to examine negative assumptions and stereotypes in order to raise discrimination awareness. Avon also sends its middle managers for three weeks of training at the Avon-Morehouse Management Development Program in Atlanta. The program's seminars help employees learn to communicate better across the barriers of diverse backgrounds; about 20 percent of those who attend have been promoted within a year of the seminars. Source: The Christian Science Monitor, June 1, 1988

• Avon has been named one of the "50 Best Companies to Work for in the U.S." by Latina Style in 2004. According to the magazine, "Avon employs nearly 600 Latinas at all levels of operations, including in influential management and executive positions. Career advancement programs such as Leaders Leading Leaders and the Women's Leadership Forum ensure that highly talented Hispanic women at Avon are reaching their full potential." Source: Latina Style

• Avon ranked 7th on Business Ethics' list of "The 100 Best Corporate Citizens" of 2004. Companies were chosen according to its relations with employees, customers, and the community as well as its commitment to the environment and diversity. Source: Business Ethics

• Since 1998, Avon Products has offered domestic partner health benefits to employees' domestic partners of the same and opposite sex. Source: Human Rights Campaign