Starbucks is facing a lawsuit in Missouri where the state’s attorney general accused the coffee chain of violating anti-discrimination laws.
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey filed the lawsuit Tuesday, claiming Starbucks “enforces race-and-sex-based hiring practices, unlawfully segregates employees, and provides exclusive training and employment benefits to select groups in violation of anti-discrimination laws,” according to a press release.
The lawsuit contends that “With Starbucks’ discriminatory patterns, practices, and policies, Missouri’s consumers are required to pay higher prices and wait longer for goods and services that could be provided for less had Starbucks employed the most qualified workers, regardless of their race, color, sex, or national origin.”
🚨BREAKING: We filed suit against Starbucks for race and sex-based discrimination.
Starbucks has blatantly violated the law by linking its compensation to racial and gender quotas.
We’re taking action to BLOCK these unlawful policies once and for all.
THREAD:
— Attorney General Andrew Bailey (@AGAndrewBailey) February 11, 2025
Employment data from 2020 and 2024 is cited in the filing which contends the coffee chain’s staff has become “more female and less white.” The lawsuit also refers to a 2021 report from Starbucks that reported on the progress of its diversity, equity, and inclusion goals.
That report noted that the company “launched a mentorship program to connect Black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) partners to senior leaders in the
Company.”
According to The Hill, “Starbucks’ U.S. workforce was 69 percent women and 49 percent BIPOC in 2020, and those numbers shifted to 70.9 percent women and 46.5 percent as of September 2024.”
Just two years ago, the Supreme Court ruled that federal law prohibits discrimination based on race.
This principle applies not only to college admissions but also to employment decisions.
— Attorney General Andrew Bailey (@AGAndrewBailey) February 11, 2025
“As Attorney General, I have a responsibility to protect Missourians from a company that actively engages in systemic race and sex discrimination,” Bailey said in a statement. “Racism has no place in Missouri. We’re filing suit to halt this blatant violation of the Missouri Human Rights Act in its tracks.”
The press release noted that Starbucks “has blatantly violated the law by linking its compensation to racial and gender quotas. Additionally, the company discriminates based on race and gender when it comes to board membership. All of these actions are unlawful.”
The Republican attorney general is also still involved in a lawsuit filed last year against the International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) for violating the Missouri Human Rights Act (MHRA).
“Like Starbucks, IBM enforced hiring quotas based on race, amongst other acts of discrimination,” the press release noted.
We’re fighting back.
— Attorney General Andrew Bailey (@AGAndrewBailey) February 11, 2025
“We disagree with the attorney general and these allegations are inaccurate,” Starbucks said in a statement to KTVI.
“We are deeply committed to creating opportunity for every single one of our partners (employees). Our programs and benefits are open to everyone and lawful. Our hiring practices are inclusive, fair and competitive and designed to ensure the strongest candidate for every job every time,” the company with nearly 200 locations in Missouri, added.
