Lowe's controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2023
New Orleans union-organizing allegations
Workers organizing at a New Orleans store filed for a union election. After an organizing leader was fired, unfair-labor-practice charges alleged surveillance, interrogation, and retaliation connected with the organizing campaign.
2021
Lowe’s agrees to settle 401(k) class-action lawsuit
Settlement
Lowe’s agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit concerning alleged inappropriate investment of $1 billion in the Hewitt Growth Fund through its 401(k) plan. Settlement details were not available, and the agreement still required submission to the court for approval.
Source excerpt
Lowe’s has agreed to a settle a class-action lawsuit over its 401(k) plan, which allegedly made an inappropriate investment of $1 billion in the Hewitt Growth Fund.
Details of the settlement, the notice of which was submitted last Thursday, were not available and will be made public when a final agreement is submitted to the court for approval.
2021
Oregon officials fine two Lowe's stores over mask rules
Fine or penalty
In April 2021, Oregon health and safety officials fined two Lowe's Home Improvement stores, located in Albany and Redmond, more than $35,000 in total. The fines were issued because the stores failed to ensure that customers wore masks, face coverings, or face shields, in violation of state rules. The action was reported as an enforcement measure by Oregon officials against the two Lowe's locations for noncompliance with mask requirements.
Oregon health and safety officials fined Lowe’s Home Improvement stores in Albany and Redmond more than $35,000 for failing to ensure that customers wore masks, face coverings, or face shields.
Source excerpt
Oregon health and safety officials have fined Lowe’s Home improvement stores in Albany and Redmond more than $35,000 for failing to ensure that customers in the stores wore masks, face coverings or face shields.
Oregon OSHA has fined Lowe’s Home Improvement stores in Redmond and Albany more than $35,000 for violating standards designed to protect workers from the coronavirus disease.
Through employer and employee interviews, and an examination of records, the inspections determined supervisors at the stores were fully aware of the requirement to ensure customer use of facial coverings and yet intentionally decided against carrying out their responsibilities.
2020
California air-quality violations
Lowe's paid a California fine involving alleged violations associated with nitrogen-oxide emissions and asbestos-related practices during demolition or renovation work.
2019
Employee pay-discussion labor ruling
A National Labor Relations Board judge found that Lowe's had unlawfully prohibited workers from discussing their compensation.
2014
Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule penalty
Lowe's paid a federal penalty concerning alleged failures by renovation-related contractors and installers to comply with requirements intended to control lead dust and protect occupants, especially children.
2011
All-American Muslim advertising controversy
Lowe's withdrew advertising from the TLC reality program All-American Muslim after citing complaints and concerns identified through its review of media coverage. The decision generated criticism from Muslim-American and Arab-American organizations, public officials, celebrities, and other commentators, some of whom called for boycotts.
2006
Dispute over rainforest-sourced flooring allegations
An Environmental Investigation Agency report questioned the sourcing of merbau flooring sold through Lowe's. The cited account also described an independent audit commissioned by the flooring supplier and Lowe's continuing position that its wood products came from known and legally sourced origins.