On February 17, 2026, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) filed a federal lawsuit against Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast, Inc. (“Coca-Cola”), claiming that the company violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act by excluding male employees from a company sponsored event.
The complaint alleges that in September 2024, Coca-Cola held a two-day networking event at Mohegan Sun Casino and Resort in Connecticut and only invited female employees. The company excused the female employees who attended the event from their normal work duties and paid them their normal salary or wages without requiring them to use vacation or other paid time off. Coca-Cola did not invite any male employees to the event. The complaint alleges that this violated Title VII because male employees were not afforded the opportunity to receive any of the benefits associated with the event.
Acting EEOC general counsel Catherine L. Eschbach issued a statement regarding the lawsuit, stating, “Excluding men from an employer-sponsored event is a Title VII violation that the EEOC will act to remedy through litigation when necessary. 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.”
The lawsuit demonstrates the agency’s current agenda to challenge race and gender-focused diversity programs the EEOC deems discriminatory. Recently, EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas urged white males to file claims if they have experienced workplace discrimination based on their race or sex.
As always, employers should ensure their DEIA policies comply with federal, state, and local laws. It is advisable that employers conduct an audit of all DEI-related policies, programs and initiatives and identify and remediate policies and practices that could potentially have an unlawful disparate impact on current and prospective employees. Employers should also ensure equal access to all aspects of employment and professional development.
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