Missouri Attorney General Sues Starbucks Over Alleged Discriminatory Hiring Practices

The lawsuit accuses Starbucks of using race and gender quotas in its diversity programs, which the company denies as unlawful discrimination.

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.