Better Health for All

Charles Schwab's core business in financial services has no direct positive or negative health impact. The company demonstrates a commitment to employee well-being through various internal programs. It maintains strong healthcare data responsibility by ensuring the privacy and security of employee Protected Health Information (PHI).

PHI is maintained separately from personnel records , electronically stored information is encrypted , and data is not used for employment decisions, in compliance with HIPAA . For mental health, Schwab offers an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) , stress management programs , and assesses stress levels via its Health Risk Assessment . The company also fosters a supportive environment for employees, as evidenced by team support during personal loss and initiatives promoting discussions around mental health and neurodiversity in the workplace . Additionally, Schwab provides comprehensive employee health and wellness benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage , , Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) with contributions up to $1,550 , , , and an "Everyday Wellness" program that encourages fitness, weight control, and smoking cessation , . This program is accessible to all full-time, part-time, and seasonal employees , with alternative options for those with medical conditions .

Fair Money & Economic Opportunity

Charles Schwab's investment advisor subsidiaries agreed to pay $187 million in June 2022 to settle SEC charges.

These charges were for misleading clients about hidden fees in connection with Schwab’s robo-advisor cash sweep programs, with alleged misconduct occurring from March 2015 to November 2018. The settlement included $52 million in disgorgement of profits and prejudgment interest, and a $135 million civil penalty. Additionally, Charles Schwab Bank, SSB has no physical retail presence.

Fair Pay & Worker Respect

The CEO-to-median employee pay ratio for Fiscal Year 2024 was 211:1

, with the CEO's total compensation at $26,388,559 and median employee pay at $125,038 . The company's overall employee rating on Glassdoor is 3.7 out of 5 stars (74%) , based on over 8,444 reviews , which decreased by 1% over the last 12 months . While 65% of employees would recommend working there and 71% approve of the CEO , recent concerns in May 2024 highlight low raise percentages, such as 1.9% for 2024 , and employees feeling underpaid despite high performance . A February 2026 post described a "horrible experience," citing high turnover due to pay issues , a 4% bonus cut , and raises "well below inflation" . The Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) rating is 4.0 out of 5 stars , equal to the sector average but also decreased over the last 12 months . The company reached a $3.8 million settlement in a case concerning overtime misclassification . In January 2022, a citation under Colorado's Equal Pay for Equal Work Act for failing to include salary ranges in job postings was received , though later waived . A November 2024 lawsuit alleges wrongful termination due to discrimination and harassment based on transgender status . Shareholder proposals in 2024 requested reporting on racial and gender pay gaps , noting workforce representation of 37% minorities (27% in management) and 37% women (37% in management) . In August 2021, a special 5% pay increase was announced for employees .

Fair Trade & Ethical Sourcing

As a financial services company, Charles Schwab's business model does not involve the procurement or trade of physical commodities. Therefore, several KPIs related to fair-trade certifications, sourcing audits, and material provenance are not applicable. In 2021, Schwab and its foundation gave $10.2 million in support to nonprofits, with $2.5 million in employee-matched funds

. The provided articles do not contain specific data regarding ethical clauses in supplier contracts or the percentage of procurement budget directed to diverse suppliers, leading to their omission from the assessment.

Honest & Fair Business

The company has a comprehensive whistleblower policy that prohibits retaliation against individuals making good-faith reports

and allows them to report to governmental agencies. It provides a confidential and anonymous reporting channel through an external Ombudsperson, who is a member of an external law firm and not employed by the company.

Kind to Animals

Charles Schwab Corporation is a financial services company, and its core business operations do not involve activities such as manufacturing products, conducting animal testing, managing animal agriculture, or sourcing animal-derived ingredients. Therefore, all KPIs related to direct animal welfare practices are not applicable to its operations. While Schwab offers ESG investment products, including mutual funds and ETFs, that may consider animal welfare criteria, and provides third-party ESG ratings for stocks (MSCI’s ESG Ratings) to clients, these offerings enable clients to align their portfolios with animal welfare values rather than reflecting the company's direct involvement in animal welfare practices, R&D, or policy advocacy. In April 2022, Schwab introduced third-party ESG ratings for stocks

.

No War, No Weapons

Schwab Funds have 4.44% military weapon exposure.

The Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund investing approximately 3.33% of its portfolio in military weapon companies as of March 2025. This indicates ongoing links to controversial weapons through its investment products. However, Schwab Asset Management introduced the Schwab Ariel ESG ETF in November 2021, which employs negative screening to exclude firearm and military weapon manufacturers. The company itself does not engage in arms manufacturing or military contracting. It is committed to complying with trade sanctions and embargoes, including OFAC regulations, which prohibit transactions with sanctioned entities. The company discontinued its Political Action Committee (PAC) on January 13, 2021. Charles Schwab Charitable supported peacebuilding organizations with $448,700 from 2012 to 2014.

Planet-Friendly Business

Charles Schwab achieved a 95% landfill diversion rate for office furniture and equipment since 2017 through a partnership, diverting over 1,600 tons of waste and avoiding 5,192 metric tons of carbon emissions.

The company reduced corporate carbon emissions by 31% compared to a 2019 baseline by implementing energy-efficient technologies across 87% of its corporate facilities. In 2020, Schwab installed a 2.5-megawatt solar field in North Texas to power its data center, selling excess power to the grid to offset energy costs of other corporate buildings in Texas. New facilities follow U.S. Green Building Council design and construction guidelines, utilizing the LEED® green building program’s rating system, and many properties have achieved LEED certifications.

Respect for Cultures & Communities

Charles Schwab has established 3 formal partnerships with community groups.

These include a partnership with the Opportunity Finance Network (OFN) , a sponsorship of the Artist-in-Residence Mentoring Program at the Ziibiwing Center of Anishinabe Culture & Lifeways , and a partnership with Academia Asi es mi Peru, a dance company that promotes Peruvian culture .

Safe & Smart Tech

Charles Schwab experienced a data breach in May 2023, affecting approximately 61,000 individuals due to a MOVEit file-transfer system vulnerability.

Affected customers were not notified until August 2023. The company responded by containing the threat, halting MOVEit Transfer use, alerting law enforcement, and initiating an investigation. A class action lawsuit was filed following the breach. For privacy certifications, Charles Schwab complies with and is certified to the U.S. Department of Commerce for the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework, its UK Extension, and the Swiss-U.S. Data Privacy Framework. Regarding user data control, individuals have the right to access their personal data and make choices for limiting its use and disclosure. Customers can opt out of interest-based advertising and the company respects 'Do Not Track' preferences. Schwab uses risk-based multi-factor authentication to help prevent unauthorized account access. In terms of regulatory compliance, Schwab is subject to extensive regulation by various federal, state, and local authorities. The company complies with the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework, its UK Extension, and the Swiss-U.S. Data Privacy Framework. However, in January 2025, Schwab finalized a settlement with the SEC for an immaterial amount concerning an inquiry into record retention and the use of unauthorized messaging channels.

Zero Waste & Sustainable Products

Charles Schwab achieved a 95% landfill diversion rate for office furniture and equipment through a partnership with Green Standards

. The company also reduced overall corporate waste by 24% and implemented multiple waste reduction initiatives. These initiatives include paperless workflows , eliminating manual tasks to reduce printing , streamlining workflows , electronics recycling events for employees , refurbishing and donating old computers , and diverting construction waste from landfills .