Former Starbucks Executive Files Wrongful Termination Lawsuit Over Safety Concerns
A former Starbucks vice president has launched legal action against the coffee giant, claiming she was dismissed after reporting serious hygiene and safety issues with company equipment. Janice Waszak filed the lawsuit in Kings County Superior Court, alleging her termination came directly after she raised alarms about maggots found in a milk dispenser and a manufacturing defect that caused a fire.
Allegations of Maggot Infestation and Fire Hazard
According to court documents, Waszak discovered maggots infesting the milk dispenser component of Starbucks's proprietary Siren System during testing in April 2022. The lawsuit states that larvae actually fell out of the machine during a demonstration for company leadership, with baristas reportedly flicking them away to avoid detection by attendees.
Waszak's legal filing further claims she learned from employees that the system's design was too complicated to properly sanitize, creating persistent hygiene risks. Team members allegedly told her they feared reporting accurate test results to their supervisor, Natarajan Venkatakrishnan, then vice president of global equipment, because they worried he would "get mad."
The safety concerns escalated in 2023 when Waszak, by then promoted to vice president overseeing Siren System testing, witnessed a milk dispenser catch fire due to what she identified as a manufacturing defect. Despite reporting these issues to Venkatakrishnan and other executives, Starbucks proceeded with a nationwide rollout of the equipment system.
Claims of Retaliation and Discrimination
Waszak's attorneys, Michael C Subit and Catherine Sellers, argue their client was fired in retaliation for her persistent safety warnings. "They should have given her an award for standing up for what was the truth," Subit told reporters. "Instead, they fired her."
The lawsuit additionally alleges sex discrimination, claiming Starbucks "allegedly terminated her for interpersonal behaviors for which it has not discharged male employees." Waszak is seeking damages for lost wages and attorney's fees.
According to the legal filing, tensions between Waszak and Venkatakrishnan escalated after she reported her safety concerns. She claims he yelled at her and criticized her to the point of bringing her to tears. Waszak filed a formal complaint against her boss in December 2023 but was fired later that same month for allegedly violating the company's antibullying and harassment policy.
Starbucks Denies Allegations
Starbucks executives have firmly rejected Waszak's claims. A company spokesperson stated: "Safety is a top priority for Starbucks and these claims are entirely without merit. Ms Waszak was separated from the company after an investigation into allegations that her conduct violated Starbucks workplace conduct policies."
The spokesperson added that the company looks forward to presenting its evidence in court. According to LinkedIn, Venkatakrishnan continues to work at Starbucks as a senior vice president.
Background on the Siren System
Waszak began her Starbucks career as a brand manager in 2004, rising to director of concept innovation by 2016. She started reporting to Venkatakrishnan in 2018 when his equipment engineering team developed the Siren System, described by Starbucks as "a series of equipment and technology improvements... to make crafting beverages and food more straightforward for partners."
The system was intended to enable baristas to make any beverage in 40 seconds or less, significantly increasing efficiency and revenue. However, the lawsuit claims that when Venkatakrishnan presented the system to senior executives in early 2022, two executives who criticized his fiscal projections were no longer with the company months later. The filing alleges Venkatakrishnan later bragged to Waszak that he had brought about their termination.
Aftermath and Current Status
Waszak's lawsuit claims that after her termination, she learned an ethics and compliance officer had investigated complaints against her and determined she had not contributed to a hostile work environment. The officer allegedly recommended she receive only a warning, but the company proceeded with termination anyway.
The Siren System evolved into the Siren Craft System, which was formally introduced in 2024. By May 2024, over 1,100 US coffeehouses were using the system, though deployment was curtailed under CEO Brian Niccol, who took over in September 2024. It remains unclear how many locations currently use the equipment.
This case highlights significant questions about workplace safety protocols, corporate accountability, and potential retaliation against employees who report serious concerns in major food service corporations.
