From Seattletimes · · 1m
Starbucks Settles Florida DEI Lawsuit
Starbucks agrees to $1m settlement with Florida over diversity goals.
In brief
Starbucks agrees to $1m settlement with Florida over diversity goals. Starbucks settles Florida lawsuit without admitting fault after claims diversity goals violated state law. Originally reported by Seattletimes.
Starbucks Settles Florida Lawsuit
Starbucks agreed on Thursday to settle a Florida lawsuit over claims that its diversity efforts amounted to discrimination under state law.
2020 Diversity Goals
In 2020, Starbucks set goals for 30% people of color in corporate roles and 40% in retail and manufacturing.
CEO Compensation Tied
Starbucks tied CEO Kevin Johnson and 42 senior executives' compensation to meeting diversity goals starting in 2021.
Florida Lawsuit Claims
Florida accused Starbucks of reverse discrimination, racial wage gaps, and excluding people of disfavored races from networking.
Settlement Terms
Starbucks pays $1 million to cover legal costs, commits to Florida Civil Rights Act compliance, and stops board diversity initiatives.
No Program Changes
Starbucks says settlement does not change current diversity programs or practices, continuing to focus on job opportunities for partners.
The takeaway
Starbucks settles Florida lawsuit without admitting fault after claims diversity goals violated state law.
