How woke is Progressive?

Introduction

Progressive Insurance is a household name for car insurance, but recently, the company has been making headlines for reasons beyond auto coverage. Progressive has fully embraced the woke agenda, making waves with its financial backing of progressive causes, dedication to diversity and inclusion (DEI) policies, and outspoken support for LGBTQ+ initiatives. Let’s look at how Progressive’s actions go beyond insurance to promote a progressive, woke agenda.

Financial Contributions to Progressive Causes

Progressive’s name certainly fits. The company’s financial contributions speak volumes about its priorities. According to OpenSecrets, Progressive regularly donates to Democratic candidates and political action committees, specifically those advocating social justice and environmental activism. 

The American Democracy Scorecard further reports that Progressive earns high marks for advancing voting rights and equality. These financial contributions may sound noble, but they reveal where the company’s political loyalties lie. 

Prioritization of DEI Policies

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are at the heart of Progressive’s hiring policies. Progressive aims to create a workforce that’s as diverse as it is inclusive. They often prioritize identity over qualifications. The report explains that they’re more interested in filling quotas than ensuring they have the best person for the job.

“Employee resource groups at Progressive support LGBTQ+ and racial minorities, fostering an environment where inclusivity is paramount,” according to their DEI report. It’s no secret that these policies, while well-intentioned, often lead to merit being overshadowed by identity politics.

Mandatory Training Sessions

Not only does Progressive prioritize DEI in hiring, but it also pushes the agenda further by requiring mandatory training on unconscious bias. According to Snokido, these sessions are designed to help employees unlearn hidden biases they may not even know they have. While some might appreciate the gesture, others see this as more evidence of woke culture running wild in corporate America.

Newsweek pointed out that while Progressive is recognized for its diversity training, there are growing concerns that these sessions foster a hypersensitive work environment. The goal is to create an equitable workplace, which might do more harm than good, encouraging self-censorship and creating divisions rather than unity.

Support for LGBTQ+ Initiatives

Progressive’s support for LGBTQ+ rights is no news. As reported by Windy City Times, the company actively participates in Pride events and donates to LGBTQ+ causes. This support is embedded in their policies, which include gender-neutral bathrooms and health benefits for same-sex partners.

Progressive’s LinkedIn profile highlights that they’re at the forefront of LGBTQ+ inclusion, ensuring their workplace policies are inclusive and celebratory of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities.

Marketing and Branding

If you’ve seen a Progressive commercial, you know their mascot, Flo, is an icon. But beyond the quirky commercials lies a deeper messaging strategy. According to their design guide, Progressive’s ad campaigns are built to reflect diversity and inclusion at every turn. “Flo” might be the star, but the company ensures that a wide range of identities and voices are represented in their ads.

Moreover, their commercial campaigns don’t shy away from tackling big social issues like climate change and social justice, hoping to resonate with younger, socially conscious consumers.

Conclusion

Progressive Insurance is, without a doubt, a woke company. From its financial support of progressive political causes to its DEI-focused hiring practices, mandatory bias training, and passionate advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights, Progressive is a vocal player in the social justice movement. For those who align with these values, that might be a reason to celebrate. However, for those who prefer businesses that steer clear of politics and focus on providing a service, Progressive might not be the best choice.