Starbucks Faces Discrimination Lawsuit

September 8, 2009

The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently filed a discrimination lawsuit against coffeehouse chain Starbucks after the company allegedly did not hire an applicant because of his disability.

In a court-affidavit, Chuck Hannay applied as a barista in Starbucks branch in Russellville, Arkansas in 2007.

The lawsuit is asking for a voluntary settlement with the coffee chain, back pay, compensation to the damages, the complainant’s instatement to the job, punitive damages, and injunction against future discrimination.

In a press release, EEOC said that Hannay visited the branch even if he was not contacted for an interview. However, the federal agency said that he was qualified for the position and the refusal of Starbucks to hire him is based on his disability.

Hannay has a multiple sclerosis, a progressive disease that affects the motor skills of a person.

EEOC Memphis District Office Director Katharine W. Kores said “employers are prohibited to discriminate workers with disability based on stereotypes.”

In response to the lawsuit, Starbucks said it did not receive the complaint but said that its workplace policies offer equal employment opportunity to anyone and that the company strictly prohibits unfair labor practices such as discrimination and harassment on the basis of mental or physical disability.

Starbucks added that it has a good track record for hiring employees with disability.