Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has filed a lawsuit against Starbucks, accusing the company of using diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies that allegedly result in illegal hiring and promotion practices.
The lawsuit, filed in the Eastern District of Missouri, claims that Starbucks enforces racial and gender quotas, prioritizing diversity over merit. It alleges that these policies lead to discriminatory hiring, favoring certain racial and gender groups while excluding others.
According to the lawsuit, Starbucks:
• Links executive compensation to DEI hiring goals, incentivizing racial and gender-based quotas.
• Offers mentorship and advancement programs only to specific demographic groups, excluding others.
• Allegedly prioritizes diversity over merit-based hiring, leading to inefficiencies that raise costs for consumers.
The complaint cites Starbucks’ reported workforce demographics, stating that since 2020, the company has become “more female and less white,” implying that DEI initiatives have reshaped hiring practices.
Missouri’s Attorney General argues that Starbucks’ DEI practices violate federal anti-discrimination laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. The lawsuit references recent Supreme Court decisions, asserting that employment decisions should be based on qualifications rather than race or gender.
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