US probes Nike over claims of discrimination against white employees

ISTANBUL

The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) said Wednesday it has opened an investigation into Nike over allegations that the company discriminated against white employees and job applicants.

The agency has requested that Nike provide information related to the allegations, including its 2025 diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) targets and other related objectives.

The commission is examining whether the company engaged in a pattern or practice of disparate treatment against white employees, applicants and program participants in hiring, promotion, demotion or separation decisions, as well as in internships and career development programs.

The EEOC issued a legal demand seeking Nike records dating back to 2018, including documents on layoff criteria, the use of employee race and ethnicity data, and several mentoring and career development programs. It also filed an enforcement action in federal court after the company failed to provide all requested information.

“We have had extensive, good-faith participation in an EEOC inquiry into our personnel practices, programs, and decisions and have had ongoing efforts to provide information and engage constructively with the agency,” a Nike spokesperson said in a statement.