Missouri Attorney General sues Starbucks over alleged hiring discrimination

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., (KBSI) — Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has filed a lawsuit against Starbucks, alleging the coffee chain has violated federal and state anti-discrimination laws by engaging in race-and-sex-based hiring practices.

Bailey claims Starbucks has unlawfully segregated employees and offered exclusive training and employment benefits to select groups.

The lawsuit asserts that initiatives aimed at promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion actually constitute unlawful discrimination.

According to the lawsuit, Starbucks’ workforce has become “more female and less white” between 2020 and 2024.

Bailey argues that the company’s policies, including setting annual inclusion and diversity goals, disadvantage other employees.

The lawsuit cites a 2021 memo from Starbucks, which outlines the company’s goals of achieving at least 30% BIPOC representation at corporate levels and 40% at retail and manufacturing levels by 2025.

Bailey contends that such targeted initiatives violate anti-discrimination laws by giving preferential treatment to certain racial or ethnic groups.

Starbucks has denied the allegations, stating that its programs and benefits are open to everyone and lawful.