Johnson & Johnson vs Merck
On overall TruNorth grade, Merck scores higher (Johnson & Johnson: C, Merck: B). Both graded from public records across nine values categories.
Political donations
FEC: $6K PAC donations; 42% to Republican, 58% to Democratic committees.
FEC: $7K PAC donations; 100% to Republican, 0% to Democratic committees.
Environment
CDP Climate Change: A- (2024) — leadership-band environmental disclosure with validated targets.
CDP Climate Change: A- (2024) — leadership-band environmental disclosure with validated targets.
Labor
81 federal penalties totaling $25.1B since 2000 (Violation Tracker).
90 federal penalties totaling $10.7B since 2000 (Violation Tracker).
DEI
HRC Corporate Equality Index: 100/100 — Equality 100 Leader (2025). Top-rated LGBTQ+ workplace policies, benefits, and culture. JUST Capital JUST 100 — ranked #62 of Russell 1000 (2025) for treatment of workers, customers, communities, environment. Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index member (2024) — transparent on female leadership, equal pay, inclusive culture. HRC Corporate Equality Index 100/100 (2025) — top-tier LGBTQ+ workplace equality rating.
HRC Corporate Equality Index: 100/100 — Equality 100 Leader (2025). Top-rated LGBTQ+ workplace policies, benefits, and culture. JUST Capital JUST 100 — ranked #76 of Russell 1000 (2025) for treatment of workers, customers, communities, environment. Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index member (2024) — transparent on female leadership, equal pay, inclusive culture. HRC Corporate Equality Index 100/100 (2025) — top-tier LGBTQ+ workplace equality rating.
Charity
$880M reported corporate giving in 2024 (~1.02% of revenue) via Johnson & Johnson Foundation. JUST Capital JUST 100 — ranked #62 of Russell 1000 (2025) for treatment of workers, customers, communities, environment. Drucker Institute Management Top 250 — ranked #8 (2024) on customer satisfaction, employee engagement, innovation, social responsibility, and financial strength. Newsweek Most Trustworthy Companies in America — ranked #69 (2024).
$2.70B reported corporate giving in 2024 (~4.19% of revenue) via Merck Foundation. JUST Capital JUST 100 — ranked #76 of Russell 1000 (2025) for treatment of workers, customers, communities, environment. Newsweek Most Trustworthy Companies in America — ranked #64 (2024). Operates the Merck Company Foundation: $24.3M in charitable contributions, gifts & grants paid (FY2023, IRS Form 990-PF).
Animal testing
No public record found.
No public record found.
Firearms
No public record found.
No public record found.
Privacy
3 state regulator actions (NY AG, TX AG) (most recent 2026-01-01). ~$3.00B in known settlements. Attorney General James Co-Leads Bipartisan Coalition Urging Congress to Pass Legislation to Protect Communities from Illicit Xylazine
No public record found.
Executive pay
CEO-to-median-worker pay ratio 360:1 (median employee pay $91,000) — SEC proxy statement (DEF 14A, 2026).
CEO-to-median-worker pay ratio 191:1 (median employee pay $108,614) — SEC proxy statement (DEF 14A, 2026).
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