Controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2019
Former Starbucks manager sues over alleged discrimination
Lawsuit filed
A former Starbucks regional manager, Shannon Phillips, sued the company, alleging that Starbucks discriminated against white people and that she was fired after she objected to a subordinate's firing. Starbucks denied the claims and stated that it was prepared to defend the case. The dispute centers on Phillips' allegations of discrimination and retaliation in connection with the termination of a subordinate employee, as well as the company's rejection of those claims.
Former Starbucks regional manager Shannon Phillips sued Starbucks, alleging that the company discriminated against white people and fired her after she objected to a subordinate’s firing. Starbucks denied the claims and said it was prepared to defend the case.
Company response
Denial — Starbucks
Starbucks told Fox News: "We deny the claims in the lawsuit and are prepared to defend our case in court."
Source excerpt
A former Starbucks regional manager whose territory included a Philadelphia location where two black men were arrested last year after they sat down in the store without ordering anything is suing the company for allegedly discriminating against white people, according to reports.
Phillips, a 13-year employee of Starbucks who oversaw stores in southern New Jersey, Philadelphia, Delaware and Maryland, “took steps to ensure that the retail locations within her area were a safe and welcoming environment for all customers, regardless of race,” according to the lawsuit that was filed Monday in the U.S. District Court for New Jersey.
A spokesman for Starbucks told ABC News, "We deny the claims in the lawsuit and are fully prepared to present our case in court."
2019
Starbucks settles New York paid sick leave case
Settlement
Starbucks agreed to change its policy and pay $150,000 in restitution in a settlement following a joint city and state investigation that found it had routinely violated paid sick leave requirements. The article reports that workers had been required to find substitutes when calling out sick, with possible corrective action up to termination if they could not.
Source excerpt
The "widespread violations" of city law have resulted in a settlement, in which the company agreed to change its policy and pay out $150,000 in restitution.
Mayor Bill de Blasio and State Attorney General Tish James announced Thursday that the world's largest coffee chain had previously forced workers to find a substitute when they call out sick.
2019
Starbucks apologizes after police officers were refused service
Company response
Starbucks apologized after two uniformed police officers in California were refused service at one of its locations. The company said the employees had been suspended while it investigated the incident.
Company response
Apology — Starbucks
There is simply no excuse for how two Riverside deputies were ignored. We are deeply sorry and reached out to apologise directly to them
Investigation — Starbucks
The employees have been suspended from work while the company investigates the incident, Starbucks confirmed.
Personnel action — Starbucks
The employees have been suspended from work while the company investigates the incident, Starbucks confirmed.
Source excerpt
The employees have been suspended from work while the company investigates the incident, Starbucks confirmed.
Starbucks has apologised after two uniformed police officers in California were refused service, Fox News reported on Saturday.
There is simply no excuse for how two Riverside deputies were ignored. We are deeply sorry and reached out to apologise directly to them
2018
Philadelphia arrests and racial-bias controversy
Two Black men were arrested at a Philadelphia Starbucks after a manager reported them for allegedly trespassing while they waited for a meeting. The arrests generated protests and accusations of racial bias. CEO Kevin Johnson apologized, Starbucks declined to press charges, and the company temporarily closed thousands of U.S. stores for training.