A Coca-Cola distributor is being sued by the Trump administration for workplace discrimination. The lawsuit stems from the distributor hosting a women-only networking event at a casino in Connecticut.
In September 2024, Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast Inc. held the event for 250 female employees. The firm is owned by Kirin Holdings, a Japanese company, as reported by The Guardian.
An employee told The Washington Post about the event, “Everyone could just kind of be free and talk about their struggles. It’s very empowering for women to get in the same room.”
WOMEN-ONLY COCA-COLA EVENT SPARKS FEDERAL LAWSUIT
A Coca-Cola bottler hosted a two-day networking event at a casino resort with paid time off, executive speakers, and about 250 attendees.
Men were not invited.
One filed a complaint.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission… pic.twitter.com/0SP3m6Kuvj
— NewsForce (@Newsforce) March 1, 2026
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed the lawsuit more than a year later. According to The Independent, it charged the distributor with violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
The EEOC is tasked with addressing workplace discrimination complaints. On its website, it is also written:
“EEOC resources help employers and employees better understand and report DEI-related employment discrimination, which can include an employment action motivated (in whole or in part) by race, sex, or another protected characteristic.”
Peter Bennett, a lawyer who represents Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast Inc., issued a statement to The Independent.
He stressed, “Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast finds it disappointing that the EEOC did not conduct a full investigation and we look forward to having our day in open court when we can tell the full story and expect to be vindicated.”
Bennett further added, “We remain confident in our values and in our continued focus on fairness, respect, and opportunity for everyone. We remain committed to upholding our responsibilities to our employees, customers, and the communities in which we live and work.”
In its complaint to the court, the EEOC wrote, “The unlawful employment practices complained of above were done with malice or reckless indifference to the federally protected rights of male employees.”
It further blamed the company for not providing the same opportunities to its male employees as it did to its female employees.
This case has become the first lawsuit over workplace diversity programs under Trump’s second term, as noted by The Guardian.
“This country was headed down a very bad track. The whole DEI thing was a sick trap. We have destroyed that and that’s pretty much gone.”
一 President Donald Trump pic.twitter.com/PsM2CPK3PT
— DogeDesigner (@cb_doge) February 20, 2025
The lawsuit comes amid a broader policy shift under Trump, who has taken a stronger stance against DEI programs. Recently, his administration issued an executive order for federal agencies to limit “discriminatory” DEI practices and take action against violations.
As reported by WilmerHale, the Order claims that “some entities continue to engage in DEI activities and often attempt to conceal their efforts to do so.” They added that such acts are “unethical and often illegal.”
The order further tells agencies to end contracts with rule-breaking companies and restrict them from future work. It also calls for possible legal action against those who do not follow the rule.
