Nike is currently under investigation by the U.S. government following allegations of discrimination against white employees.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency responsible for enforcing workplace anti-discrimination laws, announced Wednesday that it has requested company records dating back to 2018. This includes data on race and ethnicity, and whether such information influenced executive compensation.
Court documents indicate the EEOC is examining claims that Nike engaged in a “pattern or practice of disparate treatment against white employees, applicants, and training program participants.”
In response, Nike stated it is “committed to fair and lawful employment practices,” characterizing the inquiry as “a surprising and unusual escalation.”
The company issued a statement affirming its adherence to all anti-discrimination laws.
“We believe our programs and practices are consistent with those obligations and take these matters seriously. We will continue our attempt to cooperate with the EEOC and will respond to the petition.”
The decision to investigate Nike, a prominent consumer brand, represents one of the EEOC’s most significant actions during the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, who has previously criticized diversity initiatives as “reverse discrimination.”
The EEOC stated its investigation was prompted by a 2024 complaint filed by America First Legal, a conservative organization founded by former Trump advisor Stephen Miller, which prioritizes “dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) programs.
In its subpoena request, the EEOC contends that Nike has not fully complied with requests for information regarding the company’s hiring, training, and promotion practices, as well as hiring goals for racial and ethnic minorities.
According to court filings, these requests began 13 months ago and included a previous subpoena.
“Nike’s failure to comply… has delayed and hampered the EEOC’s investigation of alleged unlawful employment practices,” the court documents stated.
Nike maintains that it has already provided the EEOC with thousands of pages of information in response to its inquiries.
The company has argued that the investigation should be dropped, asserting that it is being questioned about diversity policies that the federal agency previously supported.
The EEOC was established as part of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
However, the White House has reportedly sought to shift the commission’s focus away from its traditional emphasis on bias affecting minority groups and women.
Andrea Lucas, the chair of the EEOC, has previously suggested that many standard workplace programs may potentially violate U.S. laws and invited white men to file complaints.
The agency’s subpoena seeks extensive information, including personal data of “all employees considered or evaluated for potential layoff” during the company’s 2024 job reductions, according to court documents.
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