Missouri prosecutors sue Starbucks over DEI practices, claiming they raise prices and slow service
Starbucks faces a new lawsuit filed by the Missouri Attorney General, accusing the restaurant chain of relied on “race and gender-based recruitment practices” that violated federal and state laws. this complain It also claims that the coffee chain’s recruitment policy has led to slower service and higher prices for consumers because it does not recruit the most qualified workers.
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey filed Tuesday’s lawsuit alleges that Starbucks’ diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, policy is “just an excuse for illegal discrimination because of its actual commitment.”
The lawsuit comes just weeks after President Trump signs the executive order Prohibit diversity, equity and inclusion The U.S. government’s plan also directed the U.S. Attorney General to “encourage the private sector to end illegal discrimination and preferences, including DEI.”
Many major retailers and Other companiesalong with other organizations, recently pulled back their Dee plan in a pushback by conservative activists including Ford, Google, McDonald’s, Meta, Target and Wal-Mart.
Starbucks responded to Missouri lawsuits in a statement to Missouri News, “We do not agree to the Attorney General, the allegations are inaccurate. We are very committed to creating opportunities for each of our partners (employees). Our Plans and benefits. Open and legal to everyone.”
“Our recruitment practices are inclusive, fair and competitive, and are designed to ensure the strongest candidate for every job,” the company added.
Dei’s critics say employers should make recruitment decisions based solely on merits, without having to consider race, color, gender and other legally protected categories. The Missouri lawsuit echoes these arguments, accusing Starbucks of hiring behavior that discriminates against residents in the state.
“Starbucks’ policies have hurt many Missouri people who work at Starbucks or want to work, but have been or will be discriminated against or will be victims of future victims based on their race, gender or other protected groups as future victims as future victims those who are subject to discrimination. Complaints and allegations.
Starbucks price and waiting time are The focus of consumer complaints In recent years, experts have generally not blamed the chain’s problems with recruitment practices. Instead, analysts pointed out inflation, which drove the prices of ingredients like coffee and milk, as well as Starbucks’ massive drink customization, which could slow down orders.
Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol vowed to address some of these issues, pledging last year to simplify beverage customization and said customers should receive the drinks in four minutes or less.
Niccol hired from Chipotle last year to revitalize the struggling coffee chain, and he also said he wanted to be a Starbucks location.”Wandering in the tempting place. ”
As part of this goal, Starbucks Reversed its open policy Nearly seven years later last month, people are now required to hang out in stores or use the bathroom, and they need to buy it. The company passed these policies in 2018 after two black men were arrested Starbucks in Philadelphia They went to a business meeting.
Negative publicity for the incident, which was captured by video and widely shared via social media, embarrassing the company and leading to the now abandoned open policy.
