EEOC expands Nike discrimination inquiry to White employees

The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is probing Nike for alleged discrimination against White employees, citing Nike’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion targets. The agency’s subpoena seeks information back to 2018 on race-based workforce quotas, layoffs and promotions allegedly influenced by race, and 16 mentoring programs that were race-restricted. Nike says it’s cooperating and called the action a surprising escalation. EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas says the agency is renewing its focus on evenhanded enforcement of Title VII, reflecting a broader shift in enforcement priorities under the current administration’s stance on DEI initiatives.