Unilever Risk Report

⚖️ legal & regulatory

Unilever has been involved in several legal disputes and regulatory matters recently. A significant issue includes the settlement over a class action lawsuit related to one of its product lines. There are also ongoing tensions with one of its subsidiary companies concerning political activism, which may affect its brand image and stakeholder relationships.

• Unilever settled a class action lawsuit related to its dry shampoo products on 🗓 2025-03-05.
• Ben & Jerry’s, a subsidiary of Unilever, claimed on 🗓 2025-03-19 that Unilever unlawfully terminated its CEO due to political activism.
• Ben & Jerry’s accused Unilever of censoring its political activism regarding Donald Trump on 🗓 2025-01-28.

👥 labor & workforce

Unilever has made significant workforce adjustments over the past year. The company is undertaking a revamp that included substantial layoffs globally. These actions are part of a broader restructuring aiming to streamline operations and enhance efficiency.

• Unilever announced plans to cut 6,000 jobs globally as part of an ongoing revamp, with an emphasis on securing long-term value through labor stability on 🗓 2025-04-24.
• On 🗓 2024-11-27, Unilever announced layoffs affecting 149 employees at its North Jersey headquarters, which is part of a larger cut of 7,500 jobs.
• In Europe, the company planned to cut one-third of office jobs by 2025, as reported on 🗓 2024-07-12.

🏗️ operational & business continuity

Unilever is experiencing shifts in business operations, aiming to maintain continuity amidst restructuring. The company's efforts to realign its resources are coupled with acquisitions to reinforce its market presence, despite personnel reduction.

• Unilever decided to spin off its ice cream segment to secure long-term value and cost efficiency, as reported on 🗓 2025-04-24.

📜 innovation & r&d

Innovation remains a critical focus for Unilever, as seen in its investments in research and development. The company is capitalizing on new scientific breakthroughs to enhance its product offerings and meet evolving consumer needs.

• Unilever is pioneering innovation in the haircare sector, particularly with Dove’s new science-backed expertise in hair repair, announced on 🗓 2025-06-06.
• The company conducted significant research linking the skin microbiome to mental wellbeing, with breakthroughs announced on 🗓 2025-05-29.

🏅 awards & recognition

Unilever has been recognized for its employer practices in specific markets, highlighting its commitment to fostering an attractive work environment.

• Unilever Sri Lanka was named the No.1 employer of choice for the 12th consecutive year among undergraduates, as highlighted on 🗓 2024-09-26.