Lowe's

Reasons to avoid

1. In 2025, the DOJ and EPA fined Lowe's $12.5 million for allowing uncertified contractors to disturb lead paint in hundreds of homes during renovations — endangering families, especially young children, whose developing nervous systems are most at risk from lead exposure.justice.gov2025-11-25
2. In 2022, Lowe's settled a nationwide class action for $9.95 million after more than 2,500 hourly managers alleged the company violated the Fair Labor Standards Act by failing to pay wages and overtime for work performed before and after their scheduled shifts.sommerspc.com2022-11-02
3. In 2023, when workers at a New Orleans Lowe's store organized under Lowe's Workers United, the company responded with alleged illegal surveillance and interrogation of employees. The union organizer was fired, triggering multiple unfair labor practice charges filed with the NLRB.nlrb.gov2023-06-01
4. In 2023, a California federal class action accused Lowe's of intentionally and willfully violating state labor law by failing to pay regular and overtime wages and denying employees legally required meal and rest breaks.claimdepot.com2023-08-07
5. In 2024, Lowe's quietly rolled back its diversity, equity, and inclusion commitments — withdrawing from the Human Rights Campaign's annual corporate equality index and dissolving separate employee resource groups representing diverse workers.cnbc.com2024-08-27
6. Between 2018 and 2024, Lowe's donated over $1.5 million to political candidates and PACs that oppose climate action, with no evidence of any offsetting investment in pro-climate initiatives.thecommons.earth2025-03-26