Nike has been accused of engaging in “a pattern or practice of disparate treatment against white employees, applicants and training program participants…”
The Trump administration's Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has opened an investigation into Nike over allegations of discrimination against white workers.
In a press release, the EEOC said that it has "filed an action in federal court to compel NIKE, Inc. to produce information related to allegations that the company discriminated against white workers, including as a result of NIKE’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion-related 2025 Targets and other DEI-related objectives."
Nike has been accused of engaging in "a pattern or practice of disparate treatment against white employees, applicants and training program participants in hiring, promotion, demotion, or separation decisions, including selection for layoffs; internship programs; and mentoring, leadership development and other career development programs."
The investigation and subpoena seek information related to allegations going back as far as 2018. Information sought inclused criteria the company used to select employees for layoffs; the company's tracking and use of worker ethnicity and race data, such as for setting up workers compensation; and information about 16 programs that provide race-based career development opportunities. The company failed to provide the information sought, so federal court action was sought.
EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas said, "When there are compelling indications, including corporate admissions in extensive public materials, that an employer’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion-related programs may violate federal prohibitions against race discrimination or other forms of unlawful discrimination, the EEOC will take all necessary steps—including subpoena enforcement actions—to ensure the opportunity to fully and comprehensively investigate."
"Title VII’s prohibition of race-based employment discrimination is colorblind and requires the EEOC to protect employees of all races from unlawful employment practices. Thanks to President Trump's commitment to enforcing our nation’s civil rights laws, the EEOC has renewed its focus on evenhanded enforcement of Title VII."
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