The federal government is suing a Coca-Cola bottler for hosting a women-only networking event – accusing it of discriminating against men in the first workplace diversity case in President Trump’s second term.
In September, Coca-Cola Northeast Beverages, a New Hampshire-based distributor, hosted a two-day networking event at the Mohegan Sun Casino and Resort in Connecticut, according to a lawsuit filed Wednesday in US District Court for New Hampshire.
It was the company’s “first in-person Women’s Forum,” according to a social media post, and included speakers, team-building activities, food and drinks, and visits with service dogs.
The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission accused the firm of violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act – which prohibits workplace discrimination on the basis of sex – by privately inviting female employees to the event and not inviting male employees, the suit said.
“Excluding men from an employer-sponsored event is a Title VII violation that the EEOC will act to remedy through litigation when necessary,” EEOC acting general counsel Catherine Eschbach said in a statement Wednesday.
“The EEOC remains committed to ensuring that all employees – men and women alike – enjoy equal access to all aspects of their employment,” she added.
Coca-Cola Northeast told The Post that its networking event fully complied with existing regulations from the agency.
“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 where the full story told to a jury will vindicate us,” a spokesperson said in a statement.
About 250 women attended the event, which centered around the theme “Embrace Your Authenticity: Break Barriers, Be Genuine, Inspire Change,” according to the social media post.
Women were excused from work and paid their normal wages during the trip without needing to use any vacation time, the lawsuit said.
The company also paid for their hotel rooms, as well as food and beverages during the trip, according to the suit.
Funding the trip for female employees, but not male ones, “constitutes a denial of equal compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment on the basis of sex,” the EEOC said in its lawsuit.
It is seeking unspecified relief and damages for men working at the Coca-Cola bottler.
Trump’s second term has featured an intense focus on dismantling diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
Soon after taking the Oval Office last year, the president signed an executive order broadly targeting DEI policies – triggering an unraveling of such programs across American companies.
The EEOC is also currently investigating Nike for allegedly discriminating against white workers.
