The world’s largest soft drinks manufacturer has announced new plans to improve its equal opportunities policies.
Coca-Cola, which is engaged in a United States legal case filed by a group of black employees and former staff members over alleged discrimination in pay, promotion and performance reviews, says the policies will be drawn up in the next few months.
New Coca-Cola chief executive Douglas Daft, who joined the company in February, has said he plans to create a new senior post of director of diversity strategies.
The move follows growing pressure on Coca-Cola from ethnic minority pressure groups, most recently at the company’s annual general meeting in April.
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has said it may consider launching a boycott of Coca-Cola products in the United States over the company’s alleged workplace discrimination.
Daft’s announcement was welcomed by Lamar Mixson, one of the lawyers pressing the case against Coca-Cola. ‘If the company makes honest, bold reforms in its past practices, that would be a step forward,’ he said.