Company: SOJE
Filing Date: 2025-04-11
Form Type: DEF 14A
Source: 0000092122-25-000036
Chunk: 106

Company: SOUTHERN CO
Filing Date: 2025-04-11
Form: DEF 14A
Chunk 106
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2 https://www.southerncompany.com/content/dam/southerncompany/sustainability/pdfs/our-people/human-capital-management-factsheet.pdf#: :text=Diversity%2C%20equity%20&%20inclusion%200ur%20strategy%20for,engage%2C%20include%20and%20retain%20a%20diverse%20workforce

3 https://www.southerncompany.info/htmlemail/culture.pdf

4 https://www.viewpointdiversityscore.org/polling

5 https://www.wsj.com/us-news/law/diversity-equity-dei-companies-blum-2040b173

6 https://econjwatch.org/artides/mckinsey-s-diversity-matters-delivers-wins-results-revisited

7 https://www.wsj.com/business/diversity-goals-are-disappearing-from-companies-annual-reports-459d1ef3

8 https://www .dailymaiI.co.uk/news/article-13812241/american-brand-dei-rules-backlash.htmI

#### Board’s Recommendation and Statement
The Board has carefully considered this proposal and recommends that you vote AGAINST the proposal for the reasons described below.

Southern’s existing policies, processes and risk oversight make the evaluation and report sought by this proposal unnecessary.

Our Code of Ethics states that we treat each other with fairness, respect and dignity and that we value and encourage different ideas and points of view. It also states that we value and encourage citizenship and that employees have the freedom to choose whether or not to support political candidates, parties or positions, or to engage in political activities.

Each of our operating subsidiaries has a Workplace Free of Discrimination and Harassment Policy that applies to all employees and contractors. The policy describes our prohibition against discrimination against or harassment of any applicant, employee, contractor, customer or other individual on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or veteran status or any other protected characteristic and requires that, as an equal opportunity employer, employment decisions be based only on valid job requirements, extending to all terms, conditions and privileges of employment including recruitment, selection, compensation, benefits, training, promotion and disciplinary actions. The policy also states that the Company will provide reasonable accommodations for sincerely held religious beliefs, observances and practices unless doing so would result in an undue hardship.

We believe that we have implemented thorough risk management and oversight