EEOC Files Subpoena Enforcement Action Against Financial Services Giant Northwestern Mutual Over Allegations of DEI-Related Discrimination

MILWAUKEE – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEOC) filed an action in federal court today to compel Milwaukee-based financial services provider Northwestern Mutual to produce information about the firm’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies and practices, related to the firm’s decision to deny a promotion to one of its compliance officers.

According to the EEOC’s court filing, a Northwestern Mutual employee filed a discrimination charge against the company with the EEOC in March 2025, alleging discrimination and retaliation in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In his charge, he alleged that, “beginning in or about 2020, [Northwestern Mutual] enhanced its existing diversity, equity and inclusion policy by focusing on providing additional support and opportunities for women and people of color,” and that the business adopted mandatory performance metrics to promote women and people of color.

The charge also said that he was denied advancement on the basis of his sex, race, color and national origin and in retaliation for complaining about Northwestern Mutual’s diversity policy, and that Northwestern Mutual also discriminated against others on the basis of sex, race, color and national origin.

The EEOC’s charge investigation and subpoena sought information about advancement within the aggrieved individual’s work group; Northwestern Mutual’s diversity, equity, and inclusion practices; the firm’s human resources information systems; and company metrics used for financial rewards. The EEOC also asked to interview Northwestern Mutual’s vice president of diversity and inclusion in connection with the allegations.

“Title VII charges the EEOC with confronting unlawful employment practices,” said EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas. “When we see clear indications that an employer’s DEI program may violate federal prohibitions against discrimination, we will use the full extent of our authority — including subpoena enforcement — to obtain the information needed to investigate and take appropriate action.”

The EEOC filed the subpoena enforcement action in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin (EEOC v. Northwestern Mutual, Case No. 2:25-cv-01842) after first attempting to obtain voluntary compliance with its investigative requests.

Northwestern Mutual’s more than 8,000 financial advisors and professionals provide a range of financial products like insurance, financial planning and wealth management, and serve more than 5.1 million clients.

For more information on DEI-related discrimination, visit: https://www.eeoc.gov/wysk/what-you-should-know-about-dei-related-discrimination-work.

The EEOC’s Chicago District Office has jurisdiction over Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota and North Dakota.

The EEOC is the sole federal agency authorized to investigate and litigate against businesses and other private sector employers for violations of federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. For public sector employers, the EEOC shares jurisdiction with the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division; the EEOC is responsible for investigating charges against state and local government employers before referring them to DOJ for potential litigation. The EEOC also is responsible for coordinating the federal government’s employment antidiscrimination effort. More information about the EEOC is available at www.eeoc.gov. Stay connected with the latest EEOC news by subscribing to our email updates.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.