Starbucks agreed to pay Florida $1 million to settle its discrimination suit, while denying wrongdoing. The nationwide agreement bars race- or sex-based quotas or preferences in hiring, promotion and pay, and requires annual compliance certifications for four years.
The payment covers Florida’s litigation costs. The state had sought $10,000 for each alleged instance of discrimination and estimated potential penalties in the tens of millions. Starbucks also agreed not to participate in organizations that require greater racial diversity on corporate boards; Florida can pursue alleged breaches of the agreement.
In a separate Missouri case, a federal judge dismissed the state’s similar lawsuit after finding it had not identified an employee or applicant who faced discrimination. Missouri is appealing.
