Overview

• Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has filed a lawsuit against Starbucks, claiming its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies violate federal and state anti-discrimination laws.
• The lawsuit alleges that Starbucks ties hiring, promotions, and executive compensation to racial and gender-based quotas, disadvantaging some employees.
• Bailey argues that these practices result in higher prices and longer wait times for customers by not hiring the most qualified workers, regardless of race or gender.
• Starbucks denies the allegations, stating its hiring practices are inclusive, fair, and designed to select the strongest candidates for each role.
• This legal action comes as other companies and government bodies face scrutiny or rollback of DEI initiatives under new political and legal pressures.