EEOC Takes Legal Action Against Coca-Cola Distributor for Alleged Discrimination Against Male Employees at Event
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The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a lawsuit against Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast, Inc., a distributor of Coca-Cola products, alleging sex discrimination. The EEOC claims that the distributor excluded male employees from an employer-sponsored event.
This lawsuit was initiated by the EEOC’s Boston Area Office, which is tasked with investigating and litigating potential employment discrimination cases. According to the commission, in September 2024, Coca-Cola Northeast hosted a two-day employer-sponsored trip and networking event at Mohegan Sun Casino and Resort in Connecticut.
Bottles of Coca-Cola are displayed on a store shelf on Feb. 10, 2026, in Greenbrae, Calif. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images / Getty Images)
The EEOC alleges that Coca-Cola Northeast “privately invited female employees and then excused them from their normal work duties on Sept. 10 and 11, 2024, while paying them their regular salary without requiring the use of vacation or other paid time off.” The commission claims that male employees were not invited to the event.
“Excluding men from an employer-sponsored event is a Title VII violation that the EEOC will act to remedy through litigation when necessary,” stated Catherine L. Eschbach, acting EEOC general counsel. “The EEOC remains committed to ensuring that all employees—men and women alike—enjoy equal access to all aspects of their employment, including participation in employer-sponsored events, regardless of their sex, race, or other protected category.”
Cases of Coca-Cola soda are displayed at a Costco Wholesale store on April 27, 2025, in San Diego, California. (Kevin Carter/Getty Images / Getty Images)
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Peter Bennett, an attorney representing Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast, stated to FOX Business that the event did not constitute sex discrimination and expressed confidence that a jury would agree. “The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed a lawsuit against Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast, Inc. challenging our Company’s right to hold a one-day event in September 2024,” Bennett said. “This event fully complied with existing EEOC regulation and its public commentary approving of such events. 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.”
Bennett emphasized, “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.”
Signage outside the Coca-Cola bottling plant in Albany, New York, on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024. (Angus Mordant/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)
The EEOC’s lawsuit marks the first instance related to workplace diversity that the commission has initiated during Trump’s second term in office, as noted by Axios. The EEOC has framed the lawsuit as part of the Trump administration’s broader efforts to challenge diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives perceived as discriminatory.
On the “What You Should Know About DEI-Related Discrimination at Work” page of the EEOC website, the commission highlights that DEI initiatives can be deemed “unlawful” if actions are motivated, in whole or in part, by an employee or applicant’s race, sex, or other protected characteristics.
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Coca-Cola has informed FOX Business that Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast, Inc. operates independently and referred inquiries to the distributor for further comments.
Check out what’s clicking on FoxBusiness.com.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a lawsuit against Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast, Inc., a distributor of Coca-Cola products, alleging sex discrimination. The EEOC claims that the distributor excluded male employees from an employer-sponsored event.
This lawsuit was initiated by the EEOC’s Boston Area Office, which is tasked with investigating and litigating potential employment discrimination cases. According to the commission, in September 2024, Coca-Cola Northeast hosted a two-day employer-sponsored trip and networking event at Mohegan Sun Casino and Resort in Connecticut.
Bottles of Coca-Cola are displayed on a store shelf on Feb. 10, 2026, in Greenbrae, Calif. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images / Getty Images)
The EEOC alleges that Coca-Cola Northeast “privately invited female employees and then excused them from their normal work duties on Sept. 10 and 11, 2024, while paying them their regular salary without requiring the use of vacation or other paid time off.” The commission claims that male employees were not invited to the event.
“Excluding men from an employer-sponsored event is a Title VII violation that the EEOC will act to remedy through litigation when necessary,” stated Catherine L. Eschbach, acting EEOC general counsel. “The EEOC remains committed to ensuring that all employees—men and women alike—enjoy equal access to all aspects of their employment, including participation in employer-sponsored events, regardless of their sex, race, or other protected category.”
Cases of Coca-Cola soda are displayed at a Costco Wholesale store on April 27, 2025, in San Diego, California. (Kevin Carter/Getty Images / Getty Images)
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Peter Bennett, an attorney representing Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast, stated to FOX Business that the event did not constitute sex discrimination and expressed confidence that a jury would agree. “The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed a lawsuit against Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast, Inc. challenging our Company’s right to hold a one-day event in September 2024,” Bennett said. “This event fully complied with existing EEOC regulation and its public commentary approving of such events. 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.”
Bennett emphasized, “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.”
Signage outside the Coca-Cola bottling plant in Albany, New York, on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024. (Angus Mordant/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)
The EEOC’s lawsuit marks the first instance related to workplace diversity that the commission has initiated during Trump’s second term in office, as noted by Axios. The EEOC has framed the lawsuit as part of the Trump administration’s broader efforts to challenge diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives perceived as discriminatory.
On the “What You Should Know About DEI-Related Discrimination at Work” page of the EEOC website, the commission highlights that DEI initiatives can be deemed “unlawful” if actions are motivated, in whole or in part, by an employee or applicant’s race, sex, or other protected characteristics.
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE
Coca-Cola has informed FOX Business that Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast, Inc. operates independently and referred inquiries to the distributor for further comments.
