Starbucks sued by US state of Missouri for using DEI policies

The US state of Missouri has sued Starbucks, accusing the coffee chain of using a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion as a pretext to systematically discriminate based on race, gender and sexual orientation.

In a complaint filed in St Louis federal court on Tuesday, Missouri accused Starbucks of tying executive pay to the company’s achieving racial and gender-based hiring quotas.

It also accused Starbucks of singling out preferred groups for additional training and job advancement prospects, and employing a quota system to ensure its own board of directors had a variety of racial and ethnic backgrounds.

“All of this is unlawful,” and violates federal and state civil rights laws, according to the complaint from Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey.

Bailey, a Republican, also contended that Missouri consumers pay higher prices and wait longer for services at Starbucks than if the Seattle-based chain employed the most qualified workers.

“We disagree with the attorney general and these allegations are inaccurate,” Starbucks said in a statement. “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.”