The aim of Knowmore.org is to raise awareness of corporate abuse, and to serve as a catalyst for direct action against corporate power.

Ethical Consumerism is an important movement toward corporate reform, through which individuals recognize their own role in systems of oppression, and take personal steps toward resistance and  positive change.

However, the problem of unchecked corporate power is systemic and goes far beyond the scope of any single boycot or campaign.

Once you've seen enough of Knowmore's data and familiarized yourself with our Issues section, check out our Direct Action page to get involved!

From Knowmore.org

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[edit] Criticism

[edit] Worker Rights

• Chief Executive Officer Katherine Krill had total pay of $6,931,203 in 2008 according to the AFL-CIO Executive PayWatch Database. In 2007 she made $5,225,190.[2]

California Labor Law: We were Silicone Valley SlaveGirls, February 29, 2008. Because Janet Glenn was hired as a salaried manager for the retailer Ann Taylor, she understood that she was exempt from overtime. That was 20 years ago. If she was working in those same conditions today, the company would be violating the California Labor Law.

First of all, Glenn was not exempt and therefore entitled to overtime. The law states that to be exempt, "you must direct the work of at least two subordinates in your department". In 1991, Glenn was promoted to store manager and there was supposed to be three managers on staff at any given time.

"Most of the time there was only two of us and we couldn't leave, not even for a break or lunch," says Glenn. "We ended up working many six-day weeks, from 8am to 11pm, especially during the holidays." She didn't receive any compensation for overtime and there was no offer of a break. "It was even difficult to get to the bathroom."

"For the first time in months, I had three days off in a row, but I had to cut it short and come home after two days. My boss called me back; I had to get the stock room painted before the regional manager arrived. Not only did I get it painted and cleaned up, I even paid for it out-of-pocket. He didn't even show up.

[edit] Human Rights

• The Human Rights Campaign puts out a buying guide that rates corporations on policies that affect gays and lesbians. The 2010 buying guide rates over 500 companies but Ann Taylor Stores Corporation was given a low rating (rated with a question mark) since it did not respond to the survey despite repeated attempts and because its policies are unclear.http://www.hrc.org/buyersguide

[edit] Praise

[edit] Business Ethics

• Ann Taylor Drops Fur for Good, 2005. PETA writes - After being alerted to fur-trimmed items for sale in Ann Taylor stores, PETA fired off a letter to the company explaining why fur is cruel and asking that it pledge not to sell fur in the future. In a wonderful victory for animals, Ann Taylor has decided to eliminate all its fur products by fall 2006, thanks to pressure from PETA.http://www.furisdead.com[3]