Marie Redding, Senior Editor06.08.20
Update: Estee Lauder Responds to Criticisms Over Racial Equality
As the entire world protests the death of George Floyd in support of the #BlackLivesMatter movement, many, if not nearly all, beauty companies quickly took to social media to declare their support -- and tell customers about its donations. And if they didn't, their followers were quick to put the pressure on, WWD reported.
Now, beauty industry employees are also putting the pressure on employers.
A collective of more than 100 employees at the Estée Lauder Companies started this petition on Change.org. when the company announced it was donating $1 million (inclusive of all its brands) to "organizations providing education and advocacy for social, economic and racial justice."
The petition asks the Estée Lauder Companies to increase its donation to $5 million -- and remove Ronald Lauder from the Board.
Employees explain, "This total does not match, or exceed Ronald Lauder’s personal donations in support of state-sanctioned violence."
The petition calls out Ronald Lauder's personal investments, stating that he made "personal donations of at least $1,750,000 in support of Donald Trump while working for this company." Ronald Lauder joined Estée Lauder's Board in 2016.
News about the petition was first reported by WWD and Bloomberg. Bloomberg's latest report says Estée Lauder Cos. told employees it would "speed up a review of its policies with a commitment to tackle racial injustice." Emails seen by Bloomberg, AdAge's post, says "several employees told executives that Ronald Lauder’s involvement with the company was damaging its relationship with the black community and its own black workers."
The Estée Lauder Cos. states it respects everyone’s own political choices and that the board members' views don’t represent that of the company, according to reports.
The petition now has over 5,000 signatures.
For comparison, both Glossier and Anastasia Beverly Hills, which are billion-dollar companies that began as small Indie start-ups, are each donating $1 million in various ways to help support the black community.
Read Next
Calling Attention to Black-Owned Beauty Brands
