Nike is under investigation by the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) for allegedly discriminating against white employees through its diversity policies, which are seen as "DEI-related". The probe was initiated after EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas filed a complaint, citing publicly available information about Nike's commitment to diversity and inclusion.
The agency is seeking details on how Nike tracks and uses worker race and ethnicity data, as well as information on programs that provide race-restricted mentoring, leadership, or career development opportunities. The investigation does not appear to stem from any employee complaints but rather from Lucas' own initiative.
EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas has been vocal in her criticism of diversity and inclusion policies, accusing them of potentially discriminatory practices. She recently posted a social media call-out urging white men to come forward if they had experienced racial or sex discrimination at work.
This investigation marks the first publicly confirmed formal anti-DEI probe by the EEOC against a major company. Nike has stated that it will cooperate with the agency, but described the subpoena as an "escalation" of an unusual nature.
Many US companies have made similar commitments to diversity and inclusion following the 2020 racial justice protests. These goals are intended to be achieved through methods such as widening recruitment efforts and rooting out bias during the hiring process.
Under federal law, employers are prohibited from using race as a criterion for employment decisions. The EEOC has warned that certain DEI efforts may cross this line, leading Lucas to take action.
In response to the investigation, Nike stated that it follows all applicable laws, including those that prohibit discrimination.
The agency is seeking details on how Nike tracks and uses worker race and ethnicity data, as well as information on programs that provide race-restricted mentoring, leadership, or career development opportunities. The investigation does not appear to stem from any employee complaints but rather from Lucas' own initiative.
EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas has been vocal in her criticism of diversity and inclusion policies, accusing them of potentially discriminatory practices. She recently posted a social media call-out urging white men to come forward if they had experienced racial or sex discrimination at work.
This investigation marks the first publicly confirmed formal anti-DEI probe by the EEOC against a major company. Nike has stated that it will cooperate with the agency, but described the subpoena as an "escalation" of an unusual nature.
Many US companies have made similar commitments to diversity and inclusion following the 2020 racial justice protests. These goals are intended to be achieved through methods such as widening recruitment efforts and rooting out bias during the hiring process.
Under federal law, employers are prohibited from using race as a criterion for employment decisions. The EEOC has warned that certain DEI efforts may cross this line, leading Lucas to take action.
In response to the investigation, Nike stated that it follows all applicable laws, including those that prohibit discrimination.
I mean, they're being investigated by the EEOC for allegedly discriminating against white employees over diversity policies... but at the same time, I totally get why the EEOC is doing this - all those companies are just trying to seem woke and inclusive, right? 
like, can't we just have some actual diversity without everyone feeling left out?
I don't know, man. It feels like there's this whole big mess going on and nobody's really sure what's good or bad anymore.
I mean, what does that even mean in practice? Shouldn't we just have some common sense about how to make a workplace inclusive and not create more problems than it solves?
It's interesting how an agency chair can single out a company like Nike for questioning their DEI policies when others haven't been scrutinized in the same way. The fact that this investigation is publicly confirmed makes it harder to argue that it was just a random probe. Companies have made these commitments to boost diversity and inclusion, so what's really going on here? 
also wonderin' what kind of programs or practices are so suspiciously 'race-restricted' that they'd raise red flags for the EEOC? shouldn't we be celebratin' efforts to create a more diverse and equitable workplace, not investigatin' them? 
. but at the same time, you've got companies like Nike saying they follow all applicable laws and are just trying to create a more inclusive workplace 
.
. maybe it's a wake-up call for companies to be more transparent about their DEI efforts and make sure they're not crossing any lines 
.
.
is it really that hard to just not be racist or sexist anymore? 
i don't get why we need an investigation to make sure these companies aren't discriminating against white people. shouldn't they already know better? 
I also think it's interesting that EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas is taking the lead on this investigation - isn't she the one who posted about urging white men to come forward with complaints? 
It seems like Andrea Lucas is trying to send a message that DEI efforts might be discriminatory, but isn't she the one who's been vocal about this kinda thing already? 
. Can someone enlighten me on what's going on here? 
, I'm low-key surprised by this one! 
. From what I've heard from my friends who work in HR (yes, them too 
... like, I get why companies wanna be more inclusive and all 
, but at what cost? 
It's like, we're trying to address systemic issues, but in the process, are we creating new problems? 
... I don't blame 'em, really 
.
Like, we're still arguing over whether or not to acknowledge BIPOC contributions 
, you feel me? 
... and maybe this whole thing'll spark a real conversation 
But isn't the goal of having diverse employees supposed to be about equality and fairness? 
