Former Starbucks Executive Files Lawsuit Alleging Retaliatory Firing Over Safety Concerns
A former high-ranking Starbucks executive has filed a lawsuit against the global coffee chain, claiming she was wrongfully terminated after raising serious health and safety issues, including a disturbing incident involving maggots in equipment.
Two Decades of Service Ends Abruptly
Janice Waszak, who worked with Starbucks for nearly 20 years, served as director of concept innovation and oversaw the company's Tryer Innovation Center in Seattle. Her employment came to an abrupt end in December 2023 when she was let go from her position.
According to legal documents filed on January 26, 2026, Waszak alleges that Starbucks fired her in retaliation for refusing to report false information about the profitability and health and safety risks associated with a new equipment system called the Siren System.
The Disturbing Maggot Incident
The lawsuit details a particularly alarming incident that occurred during a live demonstration of the Siren System in October 2022. According to court documents, during a presentation for district managers and regional directors at the Tryer Center, "maggots dropped out of the overhead milk dispenser and fell onto the counter and beverages."
Waszak claims that baristas attempted to conceal the incident by "flicking the maggots away to avoid attendees seeing them." Her investigation reportedly revealed that the equipment's design made proper cleaning difficult, allowing maggots to breed in the milk dispenser.
Additional Safety Concerns Ignored
The problems with the Siren System allegedly continued beyond the maggot incident. In September 2023, a machine reportedly caught fire due to what Waszak claims was a manufacturing defect. She states that she expressed her concerns about these safety issues to her supervisor, vice president of global equipment Natarajan Venkatakrishnan, but her warnings went unheeded.
Instead of addressing the safety concerns, Waszak alleges that Starbucks manufactured reasons for her termination. According to the lawsuit, she was fired on December 11, 2023, after a complaint was filed against her alleging various workplace conduct issues.
Allegations of Discrimination and Retaliation
The legal filing makes several serious allegations against Starbucks:
- Retaliation for reporting health and safety risks
- Discrimination based on sex, claiming male employees were not terminated for similar interpersonal behaviors
- Violation of workplace ethics and compliance standards
Waszak's attorneys at Frank Freed Subit & Thomas argue that their client was terminated specifically because she refused to remain silent about the safety issues she had identified.
Starbucks Responds to Allegations
In a statement addressing the lawsuit, Starbucks firmly denied the allegations: "Safety is a top priority for Starbucks, and these claims are entirely without merit." The company stated that Waszak "was separated from the company after an investigation into allegations that her conduct violated Starbucks workplace conduct policies."
The coffee giant added that it looks forward to presenting evidence in court to support its position and defend against the allegations made in the lawsuit.
Broader Implications for Corporate Accountability
This case raises important questions about corporate responsibility and employee protections when reporting safety concerns. The allegations suggest potential conflicts between corporate interests and workplace safety protocols, particularly in large multinational corporations.
As the legal proceedings move forward, this case will be closely watched by both corporate governance experts and workplace safety advocates. The outcome could have significant implications for how companies handle internal safety reports and employee whistleblower protections.
The lawsuit seeks to hold Starbucks accountable for what Waszak claims was wrongful termination and retaliation, setting the stage for a potentially precedent-setting legal battle in corporate employment practices.
