Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (WH) — ESG & Values Scores

Environment story

Wyndham operates an asset-light franchise model with limited direct operational emissions exposure. The company acknowledges climate risks and has established the Wyndham Green Program to help franchisees reduce energy, water, and carbon footprints. However, Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 emissions are not quantitatively disclosed in the 10-K. The company references 'updating decarbonization plans with longer term targets in alignment with climate science' but no specific net-zero target year or interim emissions reduction targets are disclosed. Physical climate risks to franchised coastal properties are acknowledged but mitigation strategies remain vague. The lack of quantified emissions data and undisclosed net-zero target year significantly limit the environmental score.

Criticisms on file

Undisclosed Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions; no quantified baseline or reduction targets
Source: Wyndham Hotels & Resorts 10-K 2025, Item 7 MD&A and Item 8 Environmental Impact sections
No disclosed net-zero target year; only reference to 'updating decarbonization plans with longer term targets'
Source: Wyndham Hotels & Resorts 10-K 2025, Environmental Impact section
Significant exposure to climate-related physical risks at franchised coastal properties with insurance coverage gaps acknowledged
Source: Wyndham Hotels & Resorts 10-K 2025, Risk Factors section on climate change impacts and insurance insufficiency

Disclosed initiatives

Wyndham Green Program

Sustainability guide and online environmental management tool supporting franchisees in reducing operating costs through energy and water conservation, waste diversion, responsible purchasing, and best practices. Helps franchisees track and report environmental performance data.

Operational efficiency improvements and reduced GHG emissions at franchised properties, though quantified impact is not disclosed.
Climate Risk Monitoring

Company reviews climate-related risks using TCFD recommendations annually, identifying acute and chronic physical risks including extreme weather events and sea-level rise impacts on coastal properties.

Improved risk awareness; mitigation mechanisms not yet fully detailed.
Renewable Energy Promotion

Company encourages and shares opportunities to increase renewable energy usage efficiency where feasible with franchisees.

Potential renewable energy transition; scope and adoption rates undisclosed.

Social story

Wyndham demonstrates commitment to corporate culture, employee engagement, and human rights initiatives. The company reports approximately 2,000 employees (900 international), recognizes the role of service culture, and has been recognized as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies for three consecutive years. The company has established eight global enterprise resource groups and reported named recognition as a 'Most Loved Workplace' for the third consecutive year. However, specific diversity metrics for executive and board-level leadership are not disclosed in the 10-K. CEO-to-worker pay ratio is not disclosed. The company acknowledges unionization as an operational cost risk and labor-related litigation exposure, particularly regarding human trafficking allegations at franchised properties. The lack of disclosed diversity percentages and pay equity metrics, combined with acknowledged human trafficking litigation exposure, moderates the social score.

Criticisms on file

Human trafficking allegations litigation: company and subsidiaries named as defendants in multiple state and federal court cases alleging statutory and common law claims arising from purported incidents at franchised facilities
Source: Wyndham Hotels & Resorts 10-K 2025, Risk Factors section on human trafficking allegations and Item 3 Legal Proceedings
No disclosed CEO-to-median-worker pay ratio or executive compensation metrics
Source: Wyndham Hotels & Resorts 10-K 2025, lack of disclosure in executive compensation or social metrics sections
No disclosed diversity metrics for executive leadership or board representation (gender, race/ethnicity)
Source: Wyndham Hotels & Resorts 10-K 2025, no quantified diversity percentages provided in Human Capital or Corporate Governance sections
Unionization acknowledged as operational risk and cost driver without evidence of neutrality agreements or collaborative labor relations
Source: Wyndham Hotels & Resorts 10-K 2025, Risk Factors section on unionization and labor costs

Disclosed initiatives

World's Most Ethical Companies Recognition

Wyndham recognized by Ethisphere for 2025, marking the fifth time overall and third consecutive year. Recognition reflects commitment to ethical leadership and business principles.

Enhanced reputation and stakeholder trust in ethical governance.
Workplace Culture and Employee Engagement

Count on Me service culture emphasizing integrity, accountability, inclusiveness, caring, and fun. Named to Newsweek 2025 Global Most Loved Workplaces for third consecutive year and 2025 Best Places to Work in New Jersey for sixth consecutive year.

Improved employee retention and engagement; recognized workplace quality.
Enterprise Resource Groups (ERGs)

Eight global ERGs serving as supportive networks for talent and leadership development with executive committee and senior leadership sponsorship.

Enhanced inclusivity and career development for underrepresented groups.
Be Well Program

Comprehensive wellness offering including virtual and in-person services, onsite fitness facility, and Wyndham Relief Fund for employees facing financial hardship.

Improved employee physical and mental health and financial security.
Human Trafficking Prevention

Partnership with PACT, BEST, and Polaris. Mandatory training for team members and franchisees to identify and report trafficking. Wyndham Rewards members donate points for victim housing.

Reduced human trafficking risk in franchised properties; victim support through donated points.
Career Development via Wyndham University

Global learning system providing robust learning library with flexible access for formal leadership programs, coaching, and skill development.

Enhanced employee career mobility and skill advancement.

Governance story

Wyndham maintains a board structure with disclosed independence focus, though the exact percentage of independent directors is not quantified in the 10-K. The company has a single-class share structure (no dual-class voting disclosed). The company is subject to FTC consent decree related to 2008–2010 data security incidents, indicating historical governance and security failures. The company does not disclose specific annual lobbying expenditures in the 10-K. The company faces stockholder activism risks and has previously defended against a hostile takeover, which it characterizes as costly and distracting. Board-level oversight of cybersecurity and privacy risks is documented through the Audit Committee and Information Risk Committee. Delaware choice-of-forum provisions are adopted, limiting stockholder litigation options. No evidence of active antitrust proceedings is disclosed, though cybersecurity incident response and third-party risk management processes are detailed. Overall governance appears structured but faces reputational risks from historical data breaches and ongoing human trafficking litigation.

Criticisms on file

FTC Stipulated Order (ongoing) requiring reasonable data security standards due to 2008–2010 data security incidents at Wyndham brand hotels
Source: Wyndham Hotels & Resorts 10-K 2025, Risk Factors section on Information Security and Item 1C Cybersecurity section
Historical data breaches and ongoing cybersecurity vulnerability acknowledged; no guarantee that future cyber-attacks will not materially adversely affect business, reputation, or financial condition
Source: Wyndham Hotels & Resorts 10-K 2025, Item 1C Cybersecurity section
Stockholder activism and unsolicited takeover proposal risks; prior hostile takeover defense required significant expenses and distraction
Source: Wyndham Hotels & Resorts 10-K 2025, Risk Factors section on stockholder activism
Conflict of interest disclosures: two directors serve on Travel + Leisure board; certain executives and non-employee directors own Travel + Leisure equity
Source: Wyndham Hotels & Resorts 10-K 2025, Risk Factors section on conflicts of interest
Human trafficking allegations litigation exposure; company and subsidiaries defendants in multiple cases
Source: Wyndham Hotels & Resorts 10-K 2025, Risk Factors section on human trafficking and Item 3 Legal Proceedings
No disclosed annual lobbying expenditure or policy positions on climate regulation or consumer protection regulation
Source: Wyndham Hotels & Resorts 10-K 2025, no lobbying disclosure schedule provided

Disclosed initiatives

Board-Level Cybersecurity Oversight

Audit Committee of the Board provides board-level oversight of privacy and security matters. IRC (Information Risk Committee) chaired by CISO and SVP-Legal provides quarterly updates to Audit Committee on cybersecurity risk and emerging trends.

Enhanced board-level awareness and governance of material cybersecurity and privacy risks.
Cybersecurity Incident Response Plan (CIRP)

Documented processes for identifying, assessing, responding to, containing, and remediating cybersecurity incidents with defined escalation to IRC and management. Annual testing through custom tabletop exercises with external incident response firm.

Improved incident detection, response capability, and management decision-making on materiality and disclosure.
Information Security Program

Identity and Access Management process governing user access with bi-annual certification. Program measures against NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0, PCI 4.0, and SOX standards.

Reduced access control risks and aligned security standards with industry best practices.
Third-Party Risk Management

Vendor risk assessments of third-party suppliers with access to personal data or system connectivity, including information security and privacy impact evaluations. Continuous monitoring via threat intelligence feed.

Reduced third-party supply chain security risks.
Cybersecurity Insurance

Annual cyber insurance coverage for both cyber events and business interruption, with costs monitored against industry breach benchmarks.

Financial mitigation of cyber incident losses.
Business Principles and Ethical Leadership

Board and senior management commitment to ethical standards; all team members expected to embrace shared values (integrity, accountability, inclusiveness, caring, fun).

Enhanced organizational culture and stakeholder trust.

These are Missionomics' own editorial scores — directional signals built from disclosed facts under a published method, not certifications or definitive ratings of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc.. Coverage and confidence vary by data point, and figures can lag real-world changes. Read the full Methodology for sourcing, scoring, and correction details — or open Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. in the app for interactive charts and portfolio building.

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