The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has filed a federal lawsuit against Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast, Inc., alleging the company violated sex discrimination law by barring male employees from a company-sponsored networking event.
The EEOC filed suit in U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire, charging that the Bedford, N.H.-based beverage company excluded men from a two-day trip and networking event held at the Mohegan Sun Casino and Resort in Connecticut in September 2024.
What happened
According to the EEOC, Coca-Cola Northeast privately invited only female employees to the Sept. 10–11, 2024 event. Female attendees were excused from their normal work duties and received their regular pay without having to use vacation or other paid time off. No male employees were invited.
The company produces, sells and distributes Coca-Cola brand products across the northeastern United States.
The legal argument
The EEOC alleges the conduct violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employers from making employment decisions based on sex.
“Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 has long made the exclusion of one protected class of employees from an employer-sponsored event a violation of the law,” said Catherine L. Eschbach, acting EEOC general counsel. “Excluding men from an employer-sponsored event is a Title VII violation that the EEOC will act to remedy through litigation when necessary.”
Eschbach added that the EEOC “remains committed to ensuring that all employees – men and women alike – enjoy equal access to all aspects of their employment, including participation in employer-sponsored events, regardless of their sex, race or other protected category.”
What led to the lawsuit
The EEOC filed suit after attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement through its administrative conciliation process. The lawsuit, EEOC v. Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast, Inc. (Case No. 1:26-cv-00115), was initiated by the agency’s Boston Area Office.
Why HR leaders in the U.S. should pay attention
The case is a reminder that employer-sponsored events — including off-site trips, networking functions, and team activities — fall under the scope of Title VII. Restricting participation based on sex, race, or other protected characteristics, even with benign intent, can expose an organization to federal litigation.
The EEOC is the sole federal agency authorized to investigate and litigate employment discrimination claims against private sector employers.
