US agency sues Coca-Cola bottler over employee event that excluded men

The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has sued a Coca-Cola bottler, alleging sex discrimination after it hosted a networking event that excluded male employees.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in New Hampshire on Tuesday, accuses Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast of violating federal civil rights law by organizing a two-day networking and professional development event in September 2024 exclusively for women.

About 250 female employees attended the event, which was held at a casino in Connecticut. According to the complaint, the program included a social reception, team-building exercises, recreational activities and talks by senior leaders—including a top executive from The Coca-Cola Company.

Women who participated were excused from their regular duties without having to use paid leave, and their hotel accommodation costs were covered by the company. Male employees were not allowed to attend.
Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast is owned by Japan-based Kirin Holdings.

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Lawsuit signals federal enforcement priorities

The lawsuit is significant not just for the company involved, but for what it signals about federal enforcement priorities. It is the first case brought by the EEOC challenging a diversity-focused workplace initiative since President Donald Trump returned to office.

Trump has taken an aggressive stance against diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, arguing that some initiatives amount to reverse discrimination and undermine merit-based decision-making. His administration has moved to dismantle DEI policies within federal agencies and has signaled greater scrutiny of similar efforts in the private sector.

In a statement, the EEOC’s acting general counsel Catherine Eschbach said excluding a protected class—including men—from employer-sponsored events violates federal anti-discrimination law.

Wider implications for corporate America

DEI programs typically aim to promote inclusion and provide opportunities to groups historically underrepresented in leadership roles. Many companies host women-focused leadership summits, mentorship circles or networking events as part of those efforts.

However, legal experts say the crux of the case will hinge on whether offering tangible employment benefits—such as paid time off, travel expenses and access to senior executives—exclusively to one gender crosses the line under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.

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The EEOC has recently stepped up scrutiny of corporate diversity practices more broadly. It is investigating companies including Nike and Northwestern Mutual over alleged discrimination against white employees, and last year sought detailed information from several major law firms about their DEI policies. But this is the first time the agency has formally sued an employer over a diversity-oriented event.