Beaverton, Oregon: Nike is facing a US investigation over allegations that its diversity and inclusion policies discriminated against white employees.
The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced that it had filed a court motion to compel Nike to provide information related to claims of ‘intentional race discrimination’ against white workers.
According to the EEOC, the allegations involve a suspected pattern of discriminatory practices in ‘hiring, promotion, demotion, or separation decisions, including selection for layoffs; internship programs; and mentoring, leadership development, and other career development programs.’
The agency took the action after Nike failed to respond to a subpoena requesting various information, including the criteria used to select employees for redundancy and to determine executive pay.
EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas, an outspoken critic of racial diversity initiatives appointed last year by former President Donald Trump, emphasized that US anti-discrimination law is ‘color-blind’ and protects employees of ‘all races.’
Lucas highlighted that, under Trump’s commitment to civil rights enforcement, the EEOC has renewed its focus on even-handed enforcement of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, or sex.
The EEOC’s action is viewed as part of the Trump administration’s broader efforts to roll back workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies.
Early in his return to the White House, Trump signed an executive order to eliminate ‘radical’ and ‘wasteful’ DEI initiatives introduced under his predecessor, President Joe Biden.
Before Trump’s re-election in 2024, Nike, like many major corporations, publicly supported social justice causes such as Black Lives Matter. Between 2020 and 2021, Nike’s share of non-white employees increased by more than four percentage points, the largest gain among major firms apart from healthcare provider Danaher, according to Bloomberg’s analysis of company data reported to the EEOC.
The investigation highlights ongoing debates over the implementation of DEI programs in corporate America, the enforcement of ‘color-blind’ anti-discrimination laws, and the balance between promoting diversity and ensuring equal treatment for employees of all racial backgrounds.
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