U.S. civil rights agency sues Coca-Cola distributor after allegedly excluding men from work trip
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a lawsuit against a regional Coca-Cola bottler, alleging the company discriminated against male employees by hosting a women-only networking event in 2024.
In the complaint filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in New Hampshire, the federal workplace civil rights agency claims that male employees of Coca‑Cola Beverages Northeast were harmed after being excluded from a two-day company-sponsored event held Sept. 10–11, 2024, at the Mohegan Sun casino resort in Connecticut. About 250 female employees attended the gathering, which included networking sessions and talks by company executives about career development.
According to the EEOC, attendees were paid their regular wages and received travel, lodging, meals, and other benefits. By limiting participation to women, the company allegedly denied male employees equal access to compensation, professional opportunities, and workplace privileges, in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The EEOC said it pursued legal action after failing to reach a settlement with the New Hampshire-based bottler, which operates across seven states. The agency is seeking damages for affected male employees, including compensation for emotional distress and other non-economic losses, with amounts to be determined by the court.
Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast is an independent bottler and authorized distributor ultimately owned by Japan-based Kirin Brewery Company. Neither the company nor the EEOC immediately responded to requests for comment.
The lawsuit follows a separate EEOC action announced two weeks earlier involving Nike. The agency said it is investigating whether the athletic apparel company discriminated against white employees through diversity-related policies and programs. A Nike spokesperson said the company is cooperating with the inquiry and providing additional information.
Donald Trump appointed Andrea Lucas as EEOC chair in November 2025. In a social media video released more than a month later, Lucas encouraged white men who believe they have experienced workplace discrimination based on race or sex to file complaints with the agency.
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