Florida’s Attorney General is suing Starbucks, which has more than 900 locations in the state, claiming the company violated state civil rights law through race-based employment practices tied to its diversity initiatives.According to a complaint filed by the office of Attorney General James Uthmeier in Highlands County Circuit Court, Starbucks implemented hiring quotas, paid employees differently based on race, and linked executive bonuses to race-based diversity goals.The lawsuit alleges that over the past five years, Starbucks created and maintained employment policies that prioritized applicants and employees based on race and ethnicity.Uthmeier’s office claims the company’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs led to “disfavored races” being excluded from opportunities or paid less than others with similar qualifications.The 21-page complaint cites Starbucks’ own public disclosures, including goals for increasing the percentage of “people of color” in corporate roles, mentoring programs limited to specific racial groups, and executive compensation plans linked to diversity retention metrics.The state argues that such practices violate the Florida Civil Rights Act, which prohibits employment decisions based on race or ethnicity.While the company’s DEI policies aimed to increase representation and equity, the complaint says these efforts unlawfully discriminated against white, Asian and multiracial employees or applicants.The lawsuit requests a jury trial and seeks civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation. With 934 stores operating in Florida as of July, the attorney general’s office said the total could amount to tens of millions of dollars.The complaint also notes that Starbucks previously faced a federal jury verdict awarding a former employee $25.6 million in a racial discrimination case in 2023.Starbucks has not yet publicly responded to the lawsuit. The company has emphasized in past reports that its DEI policies are aimed at creating an inclusive and equitable workplace.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
FORT MYERS, Fla. —
Florida’s Attorney General is suing Starbucks, which has more than 900 locations in the state, claiming the company violated state civil rights law through race-based employment practices tied to its diversity initiatives.
According to a complaint filed by the office of Attorney General James Uthmeier in Highlands County Circuit Court, Starbucks implemented hiring quotas, paid employees differently based on race, and linked executive bonuses to race-based diversity goals.
The lawsuit alleges that over the past five years, Starbucks created and maintained employment policies that prioritized applicants and employees based on race and ethnicity.
Uthmeier’s office claims the company’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs led to “disfavored races” being excluded from opportunities or paid less than others with similar qualifications.
The 21-page complaint cites Starbucks’ own public disclosures, including goals for increasing the percentage of “people of color” in corporate roles, mentoring programs limited to specific racial groups, and executive compensation plans linked to diversity retention metrics.
The state argues that such practices violate the Florida Civil Rights Act, which prohibits employment decisions based on race or ethnicity.
While the company’s DEI policies aimed to increase representation and equity, the complaint says these efforts unlawfully discriminated against white, Asian and multiracial employees or applicants.
The lawsuit requests a jury trial and seeks civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation. With 934 stores operating in Florida as of July, the attorney general’s office said the total could amount to tens of millions of dollars.
The complaint also notes that Starbucks previously faced a federal jury verdict awarding a former employee $25.6 million in a racial discrimination case in 2023.
Starbucks has not yet publicly responded to the lawsuit. The company has emphasized in past reports that its DEI policies are aimed at creating an inclusive and equitable workplace.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.