New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, trustee of the New York State Common Retirement Fund (Fund), sent letters to 50 major portfolio companies, including Tesla Inc., Meta Platforms Inc., Microsoft Corp., and NIKE Inc., urging them to join the Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) Workplace Pledge to Fight Antisemitism. DiNapoli announced his action at the Stand With Israel event at the Hamptons Synagogue in Westhampton Beach.
In addition to his letters to the 50 companies, DiNapoli called on the rest of the Fund’s portfolio companies to join the ADL pledge.
“The dramatic rise in antisemitic incidents in the United States and the rest of the world is a cause for alarm,” DiNapoli said. “Companies need to take steps to support Jewish employees and fight antisemitism by eliminating hate and bias and fostering a culture of inclusion. Employees have a right to a safe and secure workplace, free from discrimination and harassment. Protecting that right is fundamental to the success of any organization. Companies that ignore these issues or only pay lip service to protect their employees put themselves, and their shareholders, at risk.”
When joining the Workplace Pledge to Fight Antisemitism, organizations agree to actively prevent antisemitism in their workplaces, support Jewish employees, provide religious accommodations for employees, and speak out against antisemitism.
According to the Pew Research Center, Jews face a higher prevalence of religious discrimination compared to other religious groups. In October, the ADL reported a nearly 400% year-over-year increase in antisemitic incidents following the Hamas-led terrorist attacks against Israel on Oct. 7.
Of the Fund’s top 50 holdings, only Alphabet Inc., Accenture Plc, and S&P Global Inc., have signed on to the pledge.
The ADL Workplace Pledge to Fight Antisemitism
Full list of the companies receiving the letter